CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY - Charitable Work

There is a long tradition of Wolseley UK supporting appropriate charitable causes. And not just the company itself – time after time Wolseley UK staff, customers and suppliers have come up trumps to make a real difference to deserving causes.

The company channels most of its direct charitable donations through a charitable trust. However, there are many examples where staff, suppliers and customers have used their initiative to raise money for good causes, or help in other ways. Here are but a few examples.

'Crisis' Open Christmas

Every year since 1971 the charity 'Crisis' Open Christmas has helped homeless and vulnerably housed people at a traditionally family orientated time of year. Open over an eight-day period, the seven 'Crisis' centres provide accommodation, clothing and food to over 1,500 guests, as well as a wide range of medical services, workshops, learning opportunities, and housing advice.

A typical 'Crisis' centre is created in a disused warehouse or open plan office building. Sleeping, eating, bathrooms, kitchens and day activity spaces are then created by an army of volunteers, including joiners, plumbers and electricians, working flat out to transform the buildings over a three week period, with the vast majority of resources being donated. For the 2006 project, Plumb Center donated a range of plumbing materials, including ‘polypipe’, sink plungers, drain rod sets and floatvalves.

“Plumb Center is delighted to support this worthwhile project, especially as many of the volunteers involved are our customers.

This is the largest event of its kind in Europe, and it delivers real outcomes, such as finding homeless people permanent accommodation, helping to create CVs and arranging medical treatment.”

Grant Richardson - Plumb Center trading director

A Grand Trek for Wolseley UK

In recent years Wolseley UK has worked closely with children's charity NCH, raising more than £400,000 in total. In 2006 more than 70 Wolseley UK employees, ranging from sales counter staff to the managing director, took part in an expedition recently to raise money for the charity.

The nine-day event allowed the trekkers to explore 50 miles of the stunning and unique landscape of the Grand Canyon. As part of the challenge, Wolseley UK teams collected more than £120,000 in sponsorship.

Wolseley UK provides Sunshine Coaches

When Wolseley UK opened its new headquarters in Leamington Spa, at the same time, the company donated a coach to a local special school. The coach was presented by comedian Jasper Carrott on behalf of the Variety Club of Great Britain. Wolseley UK, working with the Variety Club Golf Society, raised £15,000 towards the coach, which is the 15th that the company has sponsored.

“Around 60% of our pupils are involved in the Special Olympics which means travelling all over the country and sometimes abroad for sporting events. This new coach will make our lives so much easier.”

Puffin Pocock, Head Teacher

Wolseley UK goes overboard to support RNLI

2007 will see the launch of a brand new inshore lifeboat, provided by Wolseley UK, for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the charity that saves lives at sea. Wolseley UK raised £125,000 to fund the purchase of one of the RNLI's newest designs of lifeboat. New features include space for four crew members instead of three, more powerful engines giving faster response times, and the provision of radar. The improved design will contribute to the continued safety of the brave volunteer lifeboat crews, to help them save more lives.

“The RNLI depends on voluntary donations to fund its vital work, and we are very pleased to be helping this very worthy cause. Our staff, customers and suppliers have rallied round and given their support to help us reach our target.”

Nigel Sibley, Managing Director of Wolseley UK

Peaking in Pyjamas

Customers and colleagues came out in force to support Build Center staff who undertook a bizarre fundraising feat - they climbed the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales - dressed in pyjamas. The team had been training for months for the challenge of climbing Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike.

“We've had fantastic support from friends, customers, and the people of Devizes in the past, and this year we are delighted to be supporting Macmillan, which does such a fantastic job in the community. Many people have done the Three Peaks, but I think we were first to do it dressed in pyjamas!”

Jeff Durham
Build Center

Wolseley UK
Wolseley Center
Leamington Spa
CV31 3HH
01926 705000