British Gypsum Celebrates Success Of Charity Challenge

British Gypsum employees gathered at the company’s East Leake headquarters this week to celebrate the success of its £100k in 100 days charity challenge.

Managing director, Mike Chaldecott, and staff from the plaster, plasterboard and drylining manufacturer, were joined by representatives from Macmillan Cancer Support and CRASH – the two charities that each received more than £50,000 as a result of the company’s fundraising.

At the celebration, a number of individuals and teams were given special recognition for their involvement in the event including: British Gypsum’s Good Causes Committee for its support in organising events and raising awareness; the Customer Service Centre for its netball tournament, grand raffle and cake sale fundraisers; and employees that completed a tough 400 mile cycle relay across the country. Sister company Artex Ltd based in Ruddington, was also thanked for its involvement which raised a huge £20,000 towards the total via activities including a charity auction.

Francesca Roberts, chief executive of CRASH, the construction industry’s charity for homeless people, said: “We are immensely grateful to Mike and to everyone who supported this amazing challenge. The money raised will enable CRASH to continue to help homeless people in a practical way by providing shelter.”

Jo-Anne Wilson, fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “The £50k that has been raised for Macmillan Cancer Support could fund a Macmillan Nurse for an entire year. Macmillan is entirely dependent on public donations and we are truly grateful to British Gypsum and Artex for their support. I would like to thank everyone who has supported the challenge. The overwhelming enthusiasm and sheer determination to reach the goal of £100k has been phenomenal.”

The ‘£100k in 100 day’ event was born when an anonymous sponsor challenged the British Gypsum team to raise £80,000 and generously offered to donate a further £20,000 if it could reach the target.

From July to November 2012, employees from British Gypsum sites in East Leake, Barrow-upon-Soar, Robertsbridge in East Sussex, Kirkby Thore in Cumbria, and Sherburn in Yorkshire, took part in various fundraising events including: a number of charity runs such as the Nottingham and Windsor half marathons and the Paris 20k; a gruelling Three Peak challenge in treacherous weather conditions, and a variety of other activities such as auctions, tombolas and other sporting challenges.

By the end of the 100 day event, a whopping £106,789 had been raised.

Mike Chaldecott, managing director of British Gypsum, said: “We wanted to take some time to say a big thank you to everyone involved in the ‘£100k in 100 day challenge’. Without the effort from the whole team, we would never have been able to reach the target. We also received an incredible amount of support from friends, family, and fellow industry professionals which helped us all along the way.”