Bury St Edmunds company wins top UK Business Award

There were celebrations across Suffolk this week as a Bury St Edmunds social enterprise has beaten off competition from some of Britain’s best green businesses to win a leading UK industry award.

Aid to Hospitals Worldwide has collected the British Chambers of Commerce Sustainability Award and with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce were in London to collect the award.

Judges were so impressed with the environmentally friendly company’s unique approach, that they also named them as a runner up for the Outstanding Business Achievement Award, earning the company a £10,000 cash prize.

“Both awards have given us a huge boost. They represent the hard work put in by our staff and volunteers. The Sustainability Award means our efforts to support the medically deprived all over the world has double benefits.  For them it brings good, usable equipment to aid their healthcare and for the UK it reflects a responsible and structured approach to utilising waste.  It's a clear message too, for all those hospitals who donate equipment to us. They should take some real satisfaction in seeing recycling-for-reuse have such a happy, economic conclusion.

“The icing on the cake however, was the Outstanding Business Award, which brought £10,000 in its wake.  Every penny counts in today's economy and this will give us greater flexibility in our financial planning for 2012,” said Mike Coleman, Chief Executive of Aid to Hospitals Worldwide.

The business, which benefits the local community and developing countries, refurbishes and recycles hospital equipment. Its team of volunteers is made up of retired workers who want to pass on their skills and youngsters wanting to get onto the employment ladder.

“Aid to Hospitals is strong and growing and is drawing all elements of sustainability together. It’s great to see a commercially viable business that’s also delivering environmental and social benefits at home and abroad and Suffolk can rightly proud of their achievements.” said John Dugmore, Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce who was at the event in the capital.

Aid to Hospitals sends equipment to 44 developing countries and every year its services are impacting on the healthcare of an estimated 12 million people, who are benefiting from UK ‘waste’. Last year it shipped more than 88 tonnes of medical equipment and supplies. Its services are now endorsed by the NHS Sustainable Development Unit, which actively encourages wider participation in its Recycling for Reuse programme for NHS Hospitals.

Viki Bell, Global Portfolio Manager of Sustainability at BSI who sponsored the award said “We are delighted that such an inspirational organisation has won the Sustainability category. Aid to Hospitals Worldwide does just this by focusing on saving lives in developing countries, having a sound environmental conscience and actively working to improve the lives of those living nearby. The award recognises that Aid to Hospitals Worldwide has a truly holistic approach to sustainable business.”

Thanks to the £10,000 award, Aid to Hospitals Worldwide will be able to invest in an additional truck so volunteers can collect even more equipment. The company is also planning to work more closely with its overseas customers to make sure that they are sourcing the medical equipment that’s most needed.