Charity night for worker injured at slaughterhouse in Spennymoor

Shaun Unsworth was badly hurt after becoming trapped in a meat processing machine at a slaughterhouse in Spennymoor.

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition with multiple injuries and since then people have been rallying around to support him.

The Health and Safety Executive has this week confirmed it has been informed of the incident at JA Jewitt (Meat).

Read more: Man critically injured in machine at JA Jewitt in Spennymoor

Now a night in Shaun’s honour has been organised at Middlestone Moor Working Men’s Club where he is a regular.

Club manager Joanne Hutchinson, one of the organisers of the event, said: “Shaun is one of locals and is well-loved that is why everyone is clubbing together.

“We are doing this so, fingers crossed, so when he comes home there will be money to help him because he will not be able to work while he is rehabilitating.”

Middlestone Moor Working Men’s Club (Image: Google)

Around 70 raffle prizes including holidays, hair and beauty treatments, golfing sessions and meals have been donated for the fundraising evening on April 15.

There will be a Grand National sweep stake, entertainment as well as football and domino cards.

There is also a donation box and money raised will be used to help Shaun when he is well enough to return home.

Tickets for the event will go on sale on Friday, March 17, from 7pm.

The incident, last Thursday, has had a profound impact on the tight knit community where Shaun, who is in his 30s, is well-known.

Joanne said: “They all come into the club from that workplace, so they are all local.

"Everyone who comes in is devastated.

“He genuinely has the kindest heart and is one of the loveliest lads you will ever meet.

“People have been very generous and the prizes are still coming in and people are still donating.

“He is a good friend and the town is giving him so much support. The response has been incredible. We look after our own.”

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Emergency services were called at 11.30am and Shaun was rushed to James Cook University Hospital in a critical condition.

His condition is not currently known but the Health and Safety Executive is expected to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A HSE spokesperson said: “We have now been made aware of this incident and are making initial enquiries.”

Safety concerns at the site have been echoed by members of staff on social media since Shaun was injured and Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison has written to the company asking for a meeting.

She has also asked people with concerns to get in touch with her office.

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A spokesperson for the firm said: “Everyone at JA Jewitt is deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible accident.

“We are very grateful to the emergency services for their quick response on the day.

“We are doing everything we can to support the HSE in their investigation into the cause of the accident."