Daughter's memory kept alive as 30 years in business are marked

Ecclesiastical furniture specialists Paul and Ruth Fuller have marked the 30th anniversary of their company, Fullers Finer Furniture, by raising thousands of pounds for the local children's hospice in their home town of Weston-super-Mare.

The family-run company staged a fundraising tennis event at their local club in memory of their daughter Naomi, who suffered from the genetic disorder Trisomi 13, or Patau syndrome.

The fundraiser was the brainchild of their tennis player son Oliver and was dubbed Volley with Ollie. At the event Oliver, aged 14 played for eight hours against 19 opponents. Supporters could also test the speed of their serves and try out 'tennis skittles'.

Said Paul Fuller: "We were trying to think of what we could do to celebrate 30 years of the business and when Oliver came up with the idea of a charity tennis event it all seemed to fit. Children's Hospice South West was the obvious choice as they have supported us and Naomi so much."

The family would spend a fortnight of respite per year at the hospice's Little Bridge House. Sadly, Naomi passed away last year, aged 17.

Fullers Finer Furniture has been producing furniture for churches for almost all of its 30-year existence.

Paul continued: "When I started the business back in 1985, one of my first commissions was to design and make a lectern for a local church. Then in 1996 we exhibited at The National Christian Resources Exhibition and from there we have taken on more and more ecclesiastical work. At present over 90% of all our work is for the church."

There have been some noteworthy customers, as Paul explained: "We design all kinds of church furniture, from communion trays to communion tables. One of our designer lecterns, The Canterbury, has been used by former Archbishops of Canterbury and HM The Queen. The actor and comedian Steve Coogan even owns one which he uses in his stand-up shows."

Money is still coming in for Volley with Ollie, which to date has raised over £4,500 for Children's Hospice South West (www.chsw.org.uk) and E&H World readers are invited to add to the total.

Paul concluded: "Anyone wishing to donate to such a fantastic charity can do so by going to www.virginmoneygiving.com/oliverfuller."