London family given big 'HUGS' by Roy Inch & Sons employees

CTV London: London family wrapped in HUGS Local program provides a free heating system for widow and her family. Celine Moreau reports.

A London widow, working two jobs and raising two teenaged sons, was overcome with emotion after receiving a helping hand from a local business.

Epane Clubine had a new furnace, air conditioner and water heater installed in her east London home Sunday by Roy Inch & Sons employees.

The generosity of several organizations made it possible.

“It touched me, I can't believe people in London care about people like me. Is it amazing? Yes," she says.

Clubine, originally from New Guinea, has battled cancer herself and she lost her husband to the disease three years ago.

She is raising her sons on very little income.

“I have to be strong I have to be. I want my two boys to grow up.”

The family smelled gas in April and a technician came to the home. The problem was repaired but a new furnace was needed.

“We had a bit of a conversation and it just seemed like she had a tough time. I just wanted to help her out,” says technician Neil Taylor.

On Saturday, 12 employees donated their time to complete the installation task.

“She's not just getting a hug today; she's going to be getting a hug for a long time," says Nathan Crandall of Roy Inch & Sons.

"We're going to be looking after her, providing her with her maintenance and if anything happens we are going to be there to look after her and her family,”

The equipment is worth about $10,000 and was donated through a campaign  the company has been running called HUGS.

Crandall hopes this will help the family not just stay comfortable in their home, but make it more affordable as well.

“This type of furnace they are getting now uses very little electricity and it has been sized appropriately to the home so it will keep those electricity bills down.”

For Clubine, it was a gift that showed others care.

“I can't believe it – beautiful, beautiful people. They give their hours, their time, their hard work. They give it to me.”

Roy Inch & Sons established the HUGS program on their 80^th anniversary seven years ago. Since then, the company has helped approximately 25 area families with equipment to make their home more comfortable, safe and healthy.