The Rainy Day Trust (RDT) has welcomed another partner as its 170th birthday year draws to a close.

A member-owned buying organisation for independent builders’ merchants, h&b group has over 80 member and associate companies nationwide.

Peter Buttle, managing director of Buttle and chair of h&b group, said “We are delighted to do our bit for those in our industry who – for whatever reason – have fallen on hard times. We are getting involved for an initial year of support and look forward to developing our relationship with this most worthwhile organisation.”

RDT 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 of all ages.

To qualify for financial assistance from the RDT, 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.