Wickes Director completes 'Boss in a Box' challenge

While others across the country spent the bank holiday weekend making the most of the warm weather, enjoying the company of family and friends or doing a bit of work around the home, a Director from DIY chain Wickes was doing something completely different.

Bicester resident Tim Matthews, 48, spent the bank holiday weekend in a glass box suspended 20 feet in the air in a car park in Aylesbury, outside one of the DIY retailer’s stores at the Cambridge Close Retail Park.

As the Services Director at the company, Tim oversees a large number of projects to improve customer relations. However, his 34-hour challenge was not meant as an innovative scheme to enhance opportunities for Wickes customers to speak to the management. Instead, it was as part of the DIY chain’s long-standing charity partnership with Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to beating blood cancers. Wickes has helped raise over £2.5m for the charity since October 2006.

Starting from 7am on Saturday 25 August, Tim didn’t take a break or use any facilities outside of the box, which was only four feet by four feet. The event ended when the Wickes store closed for the day at 5pm on Sunday afternoon. He has raised over £10,000 by completing the challenge.

Tim said “The weather wasn’t great over the weekend and I was a little concerned when the thunderstorms and wind hit on Saturday afternoon, but I was determined to complete the challenge as part of our commitment to help beat blood cancer.

“I hope that my efforts have inspired others to try something innovative to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Although it was a struggle, it’s nothing compared to the grueling treatments that blood cancer patients routinely have to undertake. The money we raised will go towards finding better and safer cures for the diseases.”

Cathy Gilman, Chief Executive of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, said: “Our partnership with Wickes continues to be a brilliant success and we are so grateful for all the fundraising they are doing for us. Tim’s efforts were truly determined and inspirational in helping to beat blood cancer. All the money raised will go towards our vital research into better treatments and cures for blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.”

You can support Tim’s challenge by visiting his fundraising page at http://www.justgiving.com/Tim-Matthews0. Alternatively, supporters can donate by texting TIMI99 and the amount to 70070.

If you’re inspired to do some fundraising with your work colleagues, or to find out how your company can help us beat blood cancer please call 020 7504 2216 or email companies@beatingbloodcancers.org.uk

Source : Michael Jones – Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research
http://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/news-item/wickes-director-completes-boss-box-challenge