OXFORD: Grafton Merchanting GB has raised £129 339 for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2011, the charity's centenary year. 

To mark the completion of the partnership, staff who have been keen fundraisers, representing three of GMGB's principal businesses, Buildbase, Plumbase and Jackson Building Centres, visited Macmillan's offices in Vauxhall, London, to see how the money will be used.

The funds will go directly to the Macmillan Support Line, a free phone service manned by cancer support specialists, providing support to 132 354 people affected by cancer every year.

"In 2011, our cancer support specialists answered 131 204 calls and 1149 emails from people who wanted questions answered, needed practical or financial support, or just wanted someone to talk to," said Blanca Fernandez, head of the Macmillan Support Line. "We'd like to say a massive thank you to all at GMGB for raising this fantastic total."

Throughout 2011, thousands of GMGB employees have contributed in their own way to help reach the total.

Inventive fundraising ideas have included climbing Ben Nevis, serving bacon butties to customers, sponsored walks, runs and cycle rides, sponsored slims and skydives, whisky trails, football matches, fishing contests, washing customers' vans, dressing up and dressing down.

Two cycle challenges together contributed nearly £35 000 towards the total – a Buildbase team cycled 480km from London to Paris in four days and Jackson Building Centres organised a branch to branch cycle challenge in July. 

Michael Zielinksi of Civils & Lintels completed the Mexico coast-to-coast cycle challenge and raised £3530 while an intrepid team from Plumbase climbed Ben Nevis raising over £3500. 

Luke Williams from Plumbase in Bicester organised a sponsored walk raising £3755. Many of the branches took part in the GMGB Big Breakfast event, the builders and plumbers merchants' equivalent of Macmillan's World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

Visiting Macmillan's offices were: David Grimsdale, Buildbase divisional director, who led the Buildbase London to Paris cycle challenge that raised £21 307; Luke Williams, assistant manager at Plumbase in Bicester, who organised a fancy dress fun walk generating over £3700 and Jason Bates, manager at Jackson Building Centres at Sutton-in-Ashfield who arranged a number of different fundraising activities.