Equipment Archives - The Stray Ferret

‘Just one more trip’ for Knaresborough’s Ukraine aid hero

A Knaresborough man who has just returned from his seventh aid trip to Ukraine has said the next visit will be his last.

Retired lorry driver Bob Frendt has been taking a lorry loaded with medical equipment and other supplies to the west of the country since Russia’s invasion last February.

His latest trip saw him deliver a letter from Knaresborough Town Council to the mayor of Volodymyr proposing a twinning agreement, after Mr Frendt’s trips established a connection between the towns.

He also took with him mobility scooters, walking frames, crutches and other vital equipment for the hospital – as well as 200 Easter eggs. They had been collected by Knaresborough women Stacey Worrall and Joanne Notman with support from family and friends, to ensure young hospital patients will not go without a chocolate treat.

On arrival at the hospital in Volodymyr, Mr Frendt was asked to deliver the eggs to the children himself. He said:

“They were overwhelmed. Because they weren’t expecting it, the kids couldn’t believe it. I bet they haven’t had chocolate since the war started – they were just over the moon, they were blown away by it.

“There was one little girl who was about three. She was really ill. I gave her the Easter egg and you would have thought I was giving her life itself.”

Mr Frendt had planned to make this his last aid trip to Ukraine, saying he was “shattered” after more than a week of travelling and deliveries.

The lorry’s MOT in February cost £4,000 in repairs. Mr Frendt was only able to get it back on the road by using his overdraft, and his wife Maureen’s. He planned to sell the truck after his next trip in order to clear their debt.

School appeal

However, during the meeting at the mayor’s office, something happened to change his mind. He said:

“I got introduced to the principal of the school which had been shut for a year because at the start, all the men teachers had to go into the army and all the women packed up their kids and legged it.

“They heard what I had done for the hospital and wanted me to do the same for the school.

“When it was shut down, the military took all the technology, so they’re absolutely beside themselves and desperate for laptops, computers, monitors, routers – anything to do with IT. They want a 3D printer and everything to go with that, and they want language course stuff to teach English.

“The school was damaged by artillery. They were given funding by the government to rebuild the school, but no funds for equipment or refurbishment. They want about 500 litres of paint and varnish for the floors.”

Unable to say no, Mr Frendt has agreed to do what he can to get what the school needs and plans to set off for his final trip on May 25.

Bob Frendt, in blue, with teachers from the school in Volodymyr

The school also asked for 10 footballs and 10 basketballs for sports lessons. Since returning less than a week ago, Mr Frendt has already sourced 40 of each, but is still seeking sports kits so the teams can play in suitable clothing.

He also still needs as much IT equipment as he can get, and paint and other supplies to make the school a better environment for learning.

And, as he left the mayor’s office, Mr Frendt was given an unusual request. He said:

“The parting shot was, ‘if you’ve got any fire engines lying about, we’ll take them – the army have nicked ours’.

“The military had commandeered the town fire engine, leaving them unable to fight any fires, so they have to let any that happen just burn out, leaving residents and businesses homeless.”

Mr Frendt said he is hoping to arrange an appointment with Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe to see whether an unneeded fire appliance could be given to Volodymyr.

If so, he said he will drive it there himself and fly home, as well as completing his final aid trip in May.

Anyone who can help Mr Frendt with equipment for the school, or funding to cover the £2,500 costs of each trip to Ukraine, can call him on 07836 514952.

Business Breakfast: Cloud Nine develops its own photo studios

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until February 9. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker.

Global hair and beauty brand, Cloud Nine, has opened two new studios at its Harrogate headquarters, bringing all previously outsourced photo and video shoots in-house.

The beauty company says the aim of the new studio is to develop the creative, commercial and media skills of its team.

The hair and skin stylist area has mirrors and lights with different coloured walls to suit models with different skin tones. There’s also a Green Room designed for the models and guests to relax in before and after each shoot.

CEO Martin Rae, who launched the business with his brother, Gavin, in 2009, said:

“We have created our own studios for two very good reasons. The first is we have a fantastically talented team based within our Harrogate headquarters, who are eager to create their own campaigns, from inception through to execution”.

“And secondly, harnessing the artistic skills of our own people makes perfect business sense, and will benefit us commercially”.

Knaresborough business group supports Ukraine

A lorry full of of medical equipment, blankets and warm clothing, supplied Knaresborough charity PhysioNet and the town’s Rotary Club, is due to arrive in Ukraine today.

The lorry left Knaresborough five days ago and has made its way to Zaporizhzhia in the South East of Ukraine.

Knaresborough Rotary President and Chairman of Physionet, David Kaye, said:

“This is the sixth PhysioNet consignment for Ukraine. The £6,000 transport costs have been paid for entirely by Rotary in Yorkshire”.

PhysioNet was founded in 2005 by Knaresborough Rotarian Peter Thompson.

It collects and refurbishes discarded mobility and physiotherapy equipment – including wheelchairs, Zimmer frames, crutches and walking sticks – and redistributes it for use by the disabled in developing countries.

PhysioNet and Rotary volunteers gave up their Saturday morning to load the lorry for Zaporizhzhia.

First glance at Harrogate’s new £1.5m padel and gym centre

A new £1.5 million fitness hub opened in Harrogate today featuring the largest indoor padel tennis centre in the UK and an “affordable but boutique” gym.

Coach gym and Surge Padel are located in the same unit, called the Matrix Building, on Hornbeam Park.

It is a major investment in the town after a difficult couple of years for business. The new venture has also created 40 jobs.

Padel tennis is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. This development seeks to put Harrogate at the epicentre of that surge in interest. It’s the largest of its kind in the country with six courts.

Surge Padel has only opened on the first floor of the building but International Padel Federation is already considering it as the potential host of its European Championships.

Coach which can be found on the ground floor and comes with more than 200 pieces of equipment and guided classes.

Stuart Perrin, who owns both Coach and Surge Padel, told the Stray Ferret:

“People of Harrogate are already voting with their feet and moving here. I think they appreciate this premium product at an affordable price, particularly in this economic climate.

“It just so happens that I used to live in Harrogate and it’s close to where I live now so it was an easy decision for me when this property came up.

“We were planning to open the first Coach in Leeds when the first lockdown came. It was a difficult time but that business was very successful.

“During the lockdowns we were on the search for more properties as a result. So we have more places in the pipeline and think now is the time to invest.”

So it seems more jobs could be on the way too as the business expands across the UK, with head office based in the same Hornbeam Park building.