The DIY and housewares industry charity the Rainy Day Trust has welcomed another partner, IKO, in its 170th birthday year.

Andy Williamson, managing director of IKO said: “With this enviable position comes an unwavering commitment and responsibility to our people as well as to our product innovation and our manufacturing initiatives. Supporting the Rainy Day Trust just takes this one step further. It is a great way of helping to ensure that everyone in this industry sector has something to rely on in the event of any kind of adverse circumstances.”

The Rainy Day Trust began life as the Iron, Hardware and Metal Trades Pension Society in 1843 and changed its name to the Rainy Day Trust in 2004 to reflect its role as the only charity which exists solely to help people who have worked in the UK’s home improvement and home enhancement industry. It merged with the Pottery and Glass Trades’ Benevolent Fund in 2012 and in the last 10 years has given away more than £1.4m to beneficiaries aged from 41 to 100.

To qualify for financial assistance from the Rainy Day Trust, applicants must have worked in the relevant industry sectors for a minimum of five years during their careers. This can be in any capacity from retail to distribution to manufacture.