The two-year partnership between Together, the charity programme comprising Jewson and its sister companies, their suppliers and customers, and the British Heart Foundation (BHF), is coming to a close having raised almost £360,000 to help in the fight against heart disease, smashing its target by over £150,000.
The Together partnership is made up of several leading names including Jewson, the UK's leading supplier of sustainable timber and building materials, Graham, Minster, Ashworth and Frazer, who are all part of Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK. These companies and their employees nominated the BHF as their chosen Together partner back in 2006 and their fund-raising efforts have made a huge difference towards funding pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and providing vital information for those who are affected by heart disease. The money raised could be used to fund 8 heart failure nurses for a year, who provide expert care and advice to patients in their own home, or it could purchase 233 defibrillators which can restart the heart in some cases of cardiac arrest by giving an electric shock.
The 'together' partnership has proved so successful due to the efforts of its employees, as well as suppliers and customers, banding together for a huge range of fundraising initiatives. These have included bike rides, hikes and marathons as well as organising local fundraising events. Together has also supported prominent BHF campaigns including the 'Valentine Appeal' and 'Help a Heart Campaign' in June.
Peter Hindle, Chief Executive of Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK, received an MBE in the 2009 New Year's Honours List for services to the construction industry and charity, including the creation of the Together programme.
On the partnership with BHF, Peter comments: "The Together partnership is delighted to have raised such a significant amount for the British Heart Foundation. Heart disease can affect our friends, families, colleagues and customers which is why it is so important that we joined together to raise funds for the BHF's life-saving work. The partnership has enabled us to get vital health messages out to staff and the people we work with as well as unite our employees, customers and suppliers."
Douglas Rouse, Head of Corporate Partnerships for the BHF says; "The Together partnership has proved to be a fantastic fundraising success, to raise £150,000 over target is a phenomenal effort. We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped us raise such a phenomenal amount."
The partnership between Together and the BHF will be ending in June in order to allow another prominent UK charity to benefit from the fundraising efforts and commitment from the Together network. The new partner will be revealed in June.