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| CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR BABY ALBIE |
M&S staff call off party to
help tragic parents
KIND-hearted staff and managers at Marks and Spencers in Camden
High Street have scrapped their Christmas party and dinner to pay
for the funeral of eight-month-old Albie Jago who tragically died
of meningitis.
The New Journal reported last week how Albie was discharged from
University College London Hospital (UCLH) after being diagnosed
with nothing more than tonsillitis (see page 7). Hours later he
was rushed to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, but doctors
were unable to save him. The UCLH, a flagship foundation trust under
government reforms, has launched an investigation.
Staff at M&S in Camden Town, where Albie’s mother Sam Johns
works as a shop-floor supervisor, were due to hold their Christmas
dinner at Belushi’s Bar in Camden High Street last Thursday
the same day as Albie’s funeral.
So instead managers decided to spend the cash earmarked for Christmas
festivities for the staff on Albie’s funeral.
More than one hundred people attended the funeral in St Pancras
cemetery, East Finchley.
White doves were released and Albie’s grandparents gave speeches.
Mr Jago said: “There were more than a hundred people at the
funeral, including a busload of staff from Marks and Spencers.”
Section manager Sylvia Copeland said there had been a whip round
at work and that the money saved from the cancelled Christmas celebrations
would go to the family.
She said: “Many of the younger members of staff didn’t
feel like celebrating. They asked if we could cancel the party and
give the money to the family. We thought it was the right thing
to do.”
Store manager Chris Chadwick, who attended the funeral said the
company’s response was appropriate. He said: “I don’t
think anyone felt like celebrating this year. We will give the money
we saved to the family to help. We just wanted to help in some way.
“We let as many people go to the funeral as possible but we
had to keep the store open too.
“Sam used to bring Albie in to the store. Many of the staff
had met him. It was such a terrible shock for everyone.”
Ms Johns, 40, who has worked at the store for 15 years, and her
husband Tony Jago, 43, who live in Bayham Street, Camden Town, said
they were both still grieving and it was too soon for either of
them to return to work.
Yesterday (Wednesday) Mr Jago said he was due to meet the supermarket.
He said: “I was aware they were going to offer some kind of
donation but we haven’t heard anything. We are going to have
a meeting with them tomorrow.” |
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