DIY retailer to continue support of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, after vote is put to Wickes employees.
Wickes colleagues voted overwhelmingly to continue with the partnership, which has seen the chain raise £1.4m to date.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research was the first ever national charity partner for Wickes and in August this year, colleagues were given the option to continue fundraising for the blood cancer charity or to choose a new partner.

Of the votes cast, 84% were for a cancer charity, said the company, and, of those four out of five colleagues wanted to stay with Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Wickes md Jeremy Bird said: "The positive vote, along with the £362,000 already raised in 2010 alone, confirms our view that to continue with this incredibly successful partnership is the right decision. The team at Leukeamia & Lymphoma Research has given us a fantastic network of support, which has been invaluable to the partnership's success."

Fundraising led by Wickes colleagues has included organised walks between stores, music festivals, sports tournaments and canoe challenges. Last October Mr Bird and a team of 16 Wickes colleagues climbed Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Leukaemia Research, having already completed the 'Three Peaks Challenge' the year before.

He added: "The commitment of Wickes colleagues in 196 stores up and down the country has been quite humbling and each year we've taken fundraising to another level. The Wickes board is incredibly thankful to every one of them and we're looking forward to raising even more money for this brilliant charity over the next two years."