A business owner who is about to welcome his first grandchild says our campaign for new cots “struck a chord” with him.

Robert Zeiderman, who owns the London China Company in Frogmore near Radlett, has donated £500 to buy a new cot for Watford General Hospital.

The Watford Observer has joined forces with healthcare assistant Jackie Fitzsimons in her quest to raise £18,000 to help kit Katherine Ward out with a fleet of much-needed new cribs.

Mr Zeiderman says he overheard one of his employees talking about the campaign after seeing it in the Watford Observer, and decided to sponsor one of the cots.

He said: “Being a local business we want to help solve local issues and we want to be part of the community.

“It’s for children and I’m very passionate about helping kids and charities – especially when you know exactly where the money is going.”

His son, Ricky, and daughter-in-law, Danielle, are due to have their son at Watford General Hospital in a few weeks time.

“It touched a chord with us,” he added. “It lets us help a little bit and put something back into the community.

“It isn’t too financially draining for us so something I felt we should be trying to support.

“There is too much doom and gloom in life and if this puts a smile on one parent’s face, it’s been worth it.”