DIY store helps out young family
Paint, pebbles and glitter were in handy supply at a Shrewsbury DIY store to raise funds for the family of a man who died in the River Severn.
Staff at B&Q on Featherbed Lane rallied around the brother-in-law of Shane Walsh who died earlier this month and promised to raise money for his widow and young family.
Following the discovery of Shane's body in water close to Frankwell Quay in Shrewsbury, an appeal was launched by his step-father Mick Hills to raise £15,000 for Shane's wife Kirsty and two pre-school children.
The appeal has so far topped £11,600 and B&Q's store manager Stuart Mold decided the time had come to do a bit to help.
So they came up with the idea of cashing in on the Shropshire Rocks craze which has swept the county in recent weeks.
Children can come along to the store, pick a rock, paint it and at the same time boost funds for Kirsty, Corey, three and 11-month-old Adalynn.
Stuart said: "Kirsty's brother Martin works here and when we heard the terrible news that Shane's body had been found we knew that we had to do something to help Kirsty and the children.
"We are a really close work family and we thought that, because the Shropshire Rocks thing has been so popular, we could use that to raise some money for the family.
"We have had dozens of children in, painting a rock and donating a £1.
"The story of Shane really touched everyone and we knew we just had to help out."
Mick added: "We have been totally overwhelmed by the generosity of people, many of whom didn't know Shane but who were moved to do something. I can not thank people enough for what they have done."
One young family taking part was Sarah Trill, 38 and her children Charlie, six and nine-year-old Eleanor. Sarah, who works at Tesco said: "I wanted to try and support the appeal as much as I can and I heard about this from a friend. The Shropshire Rocks is fun for the children and if this can help the family, then it is great."
