Ridgeons, an independent timber and builders’ merchant in the East of England, has raised an impressive £15,254, in the first year of its two-year partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support.

As Ridgeons’ elected charity for 2015-2017, Macmillan Cancer Support provides support, advice and specialist healthcare to those affected by cancer. The first year of fundraising has proved to be a huge success, helping to lay the foundations to smash Ridgeons’ two year target of £20,000.

Throughout 2015, employees at the business took part in numerous fundraising activities, including Go Green Week, Macmillan Coffee Morning, a quiz night, cake sales, an exercise bike challenge and hair shaving.

Director Gordon Ridgeon, said: “The money raised this year has gone above and beyond anything we could have predicted, so we’re now even more determined to beat our two-year target. The money raised is a testimony to everyone at Ridgeons, and we are so proud to support such a worthwhile charity. Macmillan Cancer Support is an amazing organisation, which provides crucial help to so many patients and families in need of support.”

Jess Levin, fundraising manager at Macmillan Cancer Support said: “The money Ridgeons has raised to date could help run a large Macmillan information and support centre for two months. Alternatively, £15,254 could fund a Macmillan nurse for nearly three and a half months, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support. The support we receive from our charity partners is absolutely crucial in allowing us to continue the work that we do, and we could not do that without the help of companies such as Ridgeons.”

Ridgeons is planning a whole host of fundraising activities and invites its customers into their local branch to support all of the events happening throughout the year. As well as corporate fundraising activities, Ridgeons is also encouraging employees to donate to Macmillan Cancer Support if they are doing any individual charity fundraising to meet its £20,000 target, and has set up a corporate Just Giving page to enable this.