You've read about the shop-side of Paul, and you can see from the shopkeepers award, shown here, the quality of the products and service provided at Bensons, but what of the side you don't see? -  The activities of Paul he normally doesn't talk about and what he gets up to when he's not wearing his apron and carriying a large knife? This page will give you a small insight into the Paul you don't see.

Those that visit Bensons regularly will know about Paul's love of Boxing. What is not widely known is that Paul is a co-founder of the Vange & Pitsea Boxing Club along with his friend Frankie Doyle. Paul commits a lot of his time to the club and is devoted to the 90+ members, aged between 8 and 22. The club is home to many very talented young boxers, including the current Essex Champion, Riley Wilson.

Paul regularly donates hampers and the like and raffles them in order to raise money for The Pioneer School in Basildon. Paul also supplies the school with meats and produce for their schools dinners. The Pioneer School is the daily home to over 200 children with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The school also houses a Respite Care Centre.

As you can see from the images here, Paul is always in the thoughts of the children of this very special school.

Paul plays a very special part in the local community around his shop and should be commended for his time, effort and devotion. We must remember  that, in these tough times, we should continue to support our local tradespeople in order to maintain a healthy balance in the community. If we lose our local tradesman - we lose the kind of support work that people like Paul invest in the community.

USE US OR LOSE US - Help Paul, and others like him, to help others - Support local business and you support your community.