Dozens of Knauf employees celebrated their charity fundraising achievements over the course of 2017 at a presentation event at the Knauf Plant in Sittingbourne on Friday, March 17.
As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of lightweight building products and systems, Knauf and its employees throughout the country selected Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) as their charity partner for 2017. They were involved with four activities to raise money for this charity:
- Cumbrian Challenge 2017 – May 12-13
- Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest – July 8
- Windsor Half Marathon – September 24
- Knauf ProRoll roller applied plaster giveaway in return for a donation at the National Painting & Decorating Show – November 28-29
WWTW Director of Fundraising Andrew Cook was delighted to receive the final cheque for 2017 activities from Ian Dean, Knauf UK Managing Director; it brings the total amount raised for the charity to date to £10,000. Andrew explained “Over the course of last year, we engaged with around 2000 veterans and increased our programmes to support more veterans. We could not have done this without the support of companies like Knauf and we are hugely grateful for the support from Knauf and its staff.”
At the same time, in 2017, we were keen not to forget the local charities our employees have worked with for a number of years, one of these being Demelza Hospice Care for Children based in Sittingbourne. A charity raffle and the profit made on the tuck shop raised almost £3000. Katherine Cordrey, Senior Community Fundraiser, explained how important the money raised was to the work of the charity “supporting over 650 children across Kent, East Sussex and South East London 24 hours a day, 365 days a year”.
The final cheque was presented to a Knauf employee – Richard Bowes, Head of Sales at Knauf. Knauf employees care about each other and, when one of them needs help, they will jump straight in and find ways to raise money; in line with the Knauf values of Partnership and Menschlichkeit (humanity, care and kindness). Richard’s niece Isla was diagnosed with cancer as a baby and at the age of two had received all the possible treatment she could in the UK and needed to go to America to reduce chances of relapse. On Friday February 9, tasty breakfast rolls were freshly made on site in return for a donation together with an extensive raffle and just under £1500 was raised for the Solving Kids’ Cancer charity who is working with Isla.
Knauf and its employees support for national, local and staff-related charities continues, and on Friday after the cheque presentations staff went on to raise money for Sport Relief 2018 which was taking place that week.
