A Stevenage man who has worked at B&Q in the town for 45 years has marked his long service by donating a Christmas tree from the store to a care home to help the elderly enjoy a merry Christmas rather than pining for Christmases past.

The Comet: Stevenage B&Q worker of 45 years John Hick, Milford Lodge Care Home deputy manager Vicky Wareham, team leader Marcel Auxtero, B&Q's Megan Chappell, Parkinsons UK Stevenage and North Herts branch chairperson Hel Boshier, resident Heather Dixon and home manager Sue Jarvis with the christmas tree and decorations donated by John Hick.Stevenage B&Q worker of 45 years John Hick, Milford Lodge Care Home deputy manager Vicky Wareham, team leader Marcel Auxtero, B&Q's Megan Chappell, Parkinsons UK Stevenage and North Herts branch chairperson Hel Boshier, resident Heather Dixon and home manager Sue Jarvis with the christmas tree and decorations donated by John Hick. (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2016)

62-year-old John Hook decided to donated the tree to Milord Lodge care home through the Parkinson’s UK charity because he has experienced family members suffer from Parkinson’s Disease and wants to help those who suffer from the illness.

He said “I wanted to be able to give something back to the charity that helped my family. Being able to donate a Christmas tree to a place such as Milford Lodge Care Home is a great way to mark my long service, and it will bring Christmas joy for many residents.”

The real Christmas tree and decorations was delivered to the care home by John where he was met by care home manager, Sue Jarvis.

The home was nominated to receive them by Parkinson’s UK regional branch as they have had previous members cared for there.

The Comet: Stevenage B&Q worker Megan Chappell, Parkinsons UK Stevenage and North Herts branch chairperson Hel Boshier, resident Heather Dixon and home manager Sue Jarvis decorate the christmas tree donated to Milford Lodge Care Home by John Hick.Stevenage B&Q worker Megan Chappell, Parkinsons UK Stevenage and North Herts branch chairperson Hel Boshier, resident Heather Dixon and home manager Sue Jarvis decorate the christmas tree donated to Milford Lodge Care Home by John Hick. (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2016)

Sue commented: “We are delighted to receive this wonderful tree from B&Q and a special thanks to John for such a caring and considerate way of celebrating his personal achievement at B&Q.

“Our residents will love the chance to look out on the tree every day as we will be putting it in the main entrance to the home.”

A second tree donated by John was raffled off at the regional Parkinson’s UK Christmas lunch last Thursday.

Hal Boshier, chairperson for Parkinson’s UK’s North Hertfordshire and Stevenage branch, said: “It’s such a generous thing for John to do. Being able to offer a tree to an organisation that supports our members is wonderful and then also getting a tree to raffle off to help us raise vital funds to continue our local support which is vital for all of those families who are struggling with Parkinson’s Disease.”

The Comet: Stevenage B&Q worker of 45 years John Hick places star on top of the christmas tree donated to Milford Lodge Care Home.Stevenage B&Q worker of 45 years John Hick places star on top of the christmas tree donated to Milford Lodge Care Home. (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2016)