Keyline Builders Merchants, part of the Travis Perkins Group, has raised over £500,000 to smash its fundraising target for charity partner Prostate Cancer UK. The company, through the support of its staff and suppliers, has raised £576,635 since the start of the partnership in January 2010.

Keyline, which originally set a target to raise £425,000 in three years, raised the money through a mix of events – from car rallies to treks – and involved people from all areas of the business. All funds raised will support Prostate Cancer UK in its fight to help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life.

The partnership is due to officially finish at the end of this year, but not before another major fundraising event, which is currently being planned to take place in the summer.

As well as raising money, Keyline has used the partnership to raise awareness of prostate cancer – the most common cancer in men in the UK – amongst its largely male workforce and customer base. The company’s initiative to promote awareness of the disease has included hosting Prostate Cancer UK awareness talks and stands, displaying posters and health literature in the workplace and including the charity’s logo and contact details on all email signatures and letterheads.

Andrew Harrison, Keyline managing director, said: “Everyone within Keyline is very proud of the relationship with Prostate Cancer UK and I would like to thank all the Keyline staff members, suppliers and customers for their generosity to donate money to such a worthy cause.

“The amount of money raised is fantastic but more importantly the partnership has allowed us to increase the awareness of the effects of prostate cancer in men’s health.”

Mark Bishop, director of fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Keyline has shown phenomenal commitment to the partnership over the past three years and it’s because of their remarkable fundraising efforts that they’ve exceeded their fundraising target. This will help to ensure that Prostate Cancer UK can support men with prostate cancer, provide vital information and find answers by funding research into causes and treatments.

“Furthermore, Keyline has been a fantastic ambassador in raising awareness of prostate cancer amongst their staff, customers and suppliers. In doing so, they are helping to break down some of the taboos that sadly still surround prostate cancer and encourage men to be more proactive about their health.”