B&M Cables Re-opens with Help from a Special Charity

Shooppers in Prescot were celebrating on Thrusday after the re-opening of the new B&M Cables store on Cables Retail Park.

Local representatives from The James Nicholas Foundation took centre stage as they officially unveiled the new B&M store alongside the local mayor, Councillor Frank Walsh.

James Nicholas, who worked at B&M in St Helens, died suddenly in October 2012 from a suspected heart problem.

 After his death his family set up The James Nicholas Foundation to work in collaboration with CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).

The aim of the foundation is to spread awareness of sudden adult death syndrome, so that other families don’t have to go through what the Nicholas family did, and so James’ name is not forgotten.

James’ dad, Kevin Nicholas, said: “The charity was set up with CRY in memory of James and to help raise money for young people aged 14-35 so they can be tested for an unknown heart condition.

“Last year we screened over 300 youngsters in the area and of that number around 12 were found to have heart problems. With the help of our foundation and CRY, these young people can go on to receive treatment or advice on how to change their lifestyles to help them live a normal, healthy life.”

He continued: “We have raised nearly £50,000 so far and heart screenings alone cost £3,500. The money raised helps CRY promote and develop heart screening programmes and fund medical research, while also providing bereavement support for families who have been affected by Young Sudden Cardiac Death.”

He added: “James was just a normal 21 year old before he died, he was fit and healthy and you wouldn’t have suspected anything was wrong with him, this why it is so important for other youngsters to get tested.”

Store Manager, Laura Stewart, nominated the charity to help open the store as she had previously worked with James in B&M St Helens.

She said: “The James Nicholas Foundation really stood out for us as they go the extra mile for the community, we wanted to give them some VIP treatment as a thank you for all the hard work they do.

“We hope that our donation can help them to continue the great work they do.”

She also commented: “James had worked for B&M for four years, he started off as a weekender on the shop floor before becoming part time, and just before he died he found out he had an interview for a job in Payroll at Head Office in Speke.

“He was a really good lad and got on with everyone he worked with.”

The store on Cables Retail Park has undergone a comprehensive internal and external refurbishment programme to create a new look for customers as they bargain hunt.

All staff who were employed before the refit were able to keep their jobs and with the store expanding a total of 24 jobs were also created for local people.

For more information please visit our Prescot - Steley Way store.