Screwfix launches nationwide charity

A new charity has been launched to support projects that fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities for those in need across the UK.

The Screwfix Foundation, which came into operation this year, will provide much needed funding to a range of projects, from repairing run-down buildings, to decorating the homes of people living with illness and disability.

This year, there are two national charity partners to benefit from the money raised by the Screwfix Foundation – Barnado’s children’s charity and Macmillan Cancer Support. Barnado’s has pledged to use the donations to maintain its local centres which support sick children and their families, whilst Macmillan will put the funds towards its grants scheme, enabling people with cancer to adapt their homes to make their lives easier.

The Screwfix Foundation has also been designed to lend a welcome helping hand to smaller, local charities, who can apply online at Screwfixfoundation.com for a share of the funding. Applications are welcome from across the UK, as long as the charity is UK registered and the project involves fixing, maintaining or repairing buildings or facilities for those in need.

John Mewett, marketing director from Screwfix, said: “Over the years we have supported a number of charities on both a national and local level, operating in a range of sectors. We’re delighted to be in a position to set up The Screwfix Foundation this year. We’re raising money for building and maintenance projects that our national charity partners are involved with, as well as helping the many local projects and causes which are at the heart of the communities in which we operate through our national store network. There is an extremely strong level of staff support for charity fundraising and our customers are equally charitable, as shown by the engagement in our recent campaign for testicular and prostate cancer charity, Everyman.”

The Screwfix Foundation will raise money through fundraising events across the country in and around Screwfix stores, where staff members will tackle a host of challenges and activities, from sponsored sporting challenges to cake sales and fancy dress days. There will also be collection boxes in the network of 280 Screwfix stores and the brand is continuing its partnership with Pennies, the electronic charity box which enables customers to round up their payments to the nearest pound with all money donated now going direct to The Screwfix Foundation.

Elaine Bovey, Head of Regional Fundraising for Macmilllan Cancer Support said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen as one of the charities to benefit from the new Screwfix Foundation. More than one in three of us will get cancer. For many of us it will be the toughest fight that we ever face so now more than ever we need people to join our team and get involved. The money raised through the Screwfix Foundation will help us to provide Macmillan grants which can be used to enable people to adapt and improve their homes in order to cope with the physical effects of their cancer diagnosis. No one should face cancer alone and continued support such as this will help to ensure no one will.”

Trina Gable, Barnardo’s Corporate Relationship Manager, adds: “We are so pleased that the Screwfix Foundation is supporting Barnardo’s. The money they raise will help us improve and re-furbish a vocational centre for disadvantaged young people who are struggling to find work, and would therefore descend in to poverty.”

For more information about The Screwfix Foundation, visit www.screwfixfoundation.com and the Screwfix Foundation Facebook page.

Source : Kingfisher PLC
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