Wickes gives £2m blood cancer boost

Brave workers at DIY retailer Wickes have jumped out of planes, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and even swam with sharks to raise millions of pounds for research into blood cancers.

Since 2006 colleagues, suppliers and customers at the DIY chain's 210 stores have helped to raise £2 million for charity partner Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Thousands of fundraising events including BBQs, fancy dress days, bikeathons, marathons and head shavings have taken place in support of the charity.

The money raised will enable the organisation to continue its life-saving research into better treatments and cures for all blood cancers.

In a bid to raise even more money, staff have also taken part in a series of ultimate team bonding experiences with managing director Jeremy Bird over the past three years.

Team Wickes have conquered the Three Peaks Challenge, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and taken on the volcanoes of Ecuador.

Their most recent challenge in September saw 20 Wickes' staff members cycle 520km to Mount Everest's Base Camp.

On the fundraising achievement team leader Jeremy Bird said: "Passing the landmark figure of £2 million pounds is exciting for all of us and we're proud to have been able to make such a contribution to the life saving work of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research."

And according to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research chief executive, Cathy Gilman, the DIY chain has shown an "incredible commitment to fundraising" for the charity.

She said: "The fantastic total reached is down to the hard work and dedication of Wickes colleagues and the generosity of their customers and suppliers. All the money raised will go towards vital research into better treatments and cures for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma."

For more information on the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research charity, visit www.leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk.

Source: http://www.mediatrust.org/newswirefeed/health-wickes-1512-health-wickes/