COVENTRY: The successful 'together' partnership between Jewson, the UK's leading supplier of sustainable timber and building materials and Help the Hospices, has raised £338 000 for the charity since it launched in 2009.
The partnership, which also covers Jewson’s sister brands, has seen over 500 Jewson sites twinned with 170 hospices around the UK which has given staff, customers and suppliers the chance to make a real difference at the heart of their local communities.
Help the Hospices is the leading charity supporting hospice care throughout the UK. The majority of hospice care is provided by local independent charities rooted in the communities they serve. Hospices provide a wide range of care for people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness and their families, from inpatient beds to day care and care for people in their own homes. The funds raised by Jewson and its sister brands will help local hospices continue to provide this vital care.
During the partnership, key fundraising events included the Tour de Jewson, a long distance bike ride, and a Charity Gala Dinner, which helped significantly towards raising the final sum. In addition, Jewson set up a number of trade accounts in its branches across the UK to allow local hospices to purchase materials at a discounted rate for any building and refurbishment work at the hospices themselves.
David Praill, chief executive at Help the Hospices, said: “Hospices provide their services free of charge to patients and their families – but hospice care is not free to provide.
“We are extremely grateful to Graham for choosing us as their ‘together’ partner and giving local hospices the exciting opportunity to benefit from this huge collective fundraising effort. The money that has been raised will add to the precious funds that allow local hospices to care for more than 170,000 adults and children with terminal and life-limiting illnesses each year, as well as their friends and families.”
Since its launch in 2002 this programme has raised almost £2 million for some great causes including the British Heart Foundation, Great Ormond Street and Cancer Research UK. The programme encourages Jewson staff, their families, customers and suppliers to organise and participate in a range of activities to support the nominated charity through fundraising and volunteering.
"The 'together' initiative is a wonderful chance for staff, customers, friends and family to work together towards a shared charitable goal," commented Peter Hindle, MBE and managing director of Jewson. "The ability to make a positive difference to a community at a local level is something quite special and we are delighted to have been able to support such a worthy charity as Help the Hospices."
