Wickes announces charity partnership to be extended.

Wickes has announced an extension to its support for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, which has been the company's charity partner since 2007.

Earlier this year, staff at the DIY chain were given the option to choose which cause they wanted to support, with 84 per cent of voters opting for cancer research and four out of five of those sticking with Leukaemia & Lymphoma, the charity said in a statement.

Jeremy Bird, Wickes' managing director, stated "the commitment of Wickes colleagues in 196 stores up and down the country has been quite humbling" and he thanked staff for their support.

Fundraising efforts that have seen the home improvement specialists raise over £1.4 million so far range from in-store fancy dress and family fun days to skydiving and even a sponsored climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in 2009.

"Without a doubt the money Wickes has raised is saving the lives of patients with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma", said Kate White, director of fundraising at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

The extension to the deal will see the store and the charity continue to co-operate until 2012.

Source : Wickes