B&Q stores raise £13,000 for charity partner Shelter

MCRJourno

Last December colleagues at B&Q stores in Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire raised £13,000 for its charity partner Shelter.

151 colleagues walked the 12km 151 bus route near Manchester city centre looping around B&Q's Cheetham Hill store to highlight that 151,000 children live in temporary accommodation at Christmas.

This significant step to raise awareness resulted in an impressive £13,000 raised for Shelter. 

The idea came from the joint efforts of B&Q colleagues Wayne Nixon (who suggested the bus route) and Rachel Coult (who suggested the number of people).

Rachel Coult, Regional Manager at B&Q said: "We are proud of our colleagues who came together to support Shelter and raise awareness about the challenges faced by families in temporary accommodation this Christmas.

"By connecting the bus route to 151 participants, which in turn connected to the over 150,000 children we created an event that raised funds and highlighted the urgent issue of homelessness."

B&Q has created a series of snow globe baubles that shatter the illusion of festive perfection, based on true accounts from families. 

The baubles were hung in stores across the festive period with B&Q donating £1 from every real tree sold to Shelter.

Rachel continued: "The snow globe baubles serve as a poignant reminder of the difficulties these families face, underscoring the importance of having a safe and stable home during the festive season."