Our Charity Partnership with Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research

Wickes Everest Challenge September 2011

For more than 14 days in September 2011 a team of 20 Wickes colleagues and suppliers, along with ex-England footballer Geoff Thomas, cycled from Shigatse in Tibet to Everest Base Camp as part of an epic adventure in the Himalayas.

The altitude and terrain made this an extremely tough challenge as the team travelled an average distance of 45 miles per day, enduring extreme temperatures and crossing some of the highest mountain passes in the world.

The team successfully completed the challenge and raised over £40k for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

If you would like to make a donation in recognition of the team’s efforts, please go to the Wickes Everest Just Giving page.

Find out more about the Wickes Everest Challenge here.

2011 update – Wickes has raised £1.6 million!

Since our partnership with Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research began in October 2006 we have managed to raise £1.6 million for the charity dedicated to research into blood cancers.

Wickes colleagues, customers and suppliers across the UK have enthusiastically taken on a whole range of fun and creative fundraising initiatives. A remarkable amount of money has been raised so far and everyone involved is very proud of this achievement.

Our Managing Director, Jeremy Bird says: "To reach and go beyond the £1 million mark is fantastic, especially as it's our first ever charity partnership - it's a real testament to the generosity of our colleagues, customers and suppliers."

The partnership has had a positive impact on our business by bringing colleagues and stores in different regions together through our charity work and helping us engage more with our customers. From the moment we began supporting Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, the commitment and support for the charity has been tireless. Every month, without fail, our colleagues manage to raise significant sums of money which have helped us to reach our current incredible £1.6 million total.

Wickes colleagues across the country have shown great enthusiasm and commitment to in-store fundraising, which has been generously supported by our customers. Store events have included family fun days, fancy dress days, head-shaves and BBQs. Individual colleagues have thrown themselves into sponsored skydives, bikeathons, marathons, triathlons and even shark dives!

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is delighted with the news of our £1.6 million achievement, and we look forward to continuing our charity partnership for the next two years. Cathy Gilman, Chief Executive of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, says: "Wickes has shown an incredible commitment and dedication to fundraising for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research since the partnership began. To raise this amount of money is amazing and it will make a real difference to the lives of people touched by all blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma."

For further information please contact Hiliary Jenkins at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research on 020 7269 9069 or at hjenkins@beatbloodcancers.org

About Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is the only national charity devoted exclusively to improving treatments, finding cures and learning how to prevent leukaemia, Hodgkin's and other lymphomas, myeloma and the other related blood disorders, diagnosed in 24,500 people in the UK every year. Further information, including patient information booklets, is available from www.lrf.org.uk or call 020 7405 0101.

Over the next five years, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research urgently needs to raise over £100 million to commit to new research across the UK. From basic laboratory research to clinical trials with patients, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is committed to saving lives by funding high quality, carefully selected research throughout the UK.

Registered charity 216032 (England & Wales) SC037529 (Scotland)