A PROCUREMENT firm, which donated millions of PPE items to charities and care homes across the UK, has scooped a national award for its voluntary work.

Marr Procurement, which is a health and social care procurement specialist in Tollgate, has been named Small Business of The Year by Lloyds Bank for helping its clients source the equipment they need to work safely.

Founded in 2015, the firm has donated 37,000 face masks to multiple organisations, including Colchester’ St Helena’s Hospice, after seeing “homes being ripped off by some PPE suppliers” during the pandemic.

Christoph Marr, chief executive of the firm, said: “When the pandemic hit, many of our clients were operating under incredible stress.

“Our first thoughts were to protect our colleagues and to support the organisations that helped us get where we are today, however we could.

“Most immediately, that meant securing supplies of PPE so they could continue their vital work safely, and we were happy to work for free and donated 100% of our PPE profits to 14 charities.”

Paul Gordon of Lloyds Bank said: “Marr Procurement is a great example of a business with a strong entrepreneurial spirit which also works for the greater good.

“It is truly deserving of this award.”