NORTHAMPTON: Travis Perkins has raised over £850 000 for UK charities Action for Children and Mencap.

Having worked closely with Action for Children and Mencap since 2007, Travis Perkins Group has raised £230 711 for both of the charities in 2009 alone, bringing the grand total of money raised to £858 643.

The cash was the result of a combined effort from all employees of the Travis Perkins Group brands – Travis Perkins, Keyline, City Plumbing Supplies, CCF and Benchmarx. Fundraising challenges included skydives, Three Peaks challenges, charity balls, individual employee challenges, sponsored cycle rides and the Group’s annual Family Fun Day.

Celebrity representatives of the charities, actor David Morrissey and TV journalist Donal MacIntyre, on behalf of Action for Children and Mencap respectively, attended an official presentation at the Travis Perkins branch in Vauxhall, London, this week to receive cheques from Geoff Cooper, chief executive of Travis Perkins Group.

Mr Morrissey commented: “It’s really great to have a company like Travis Perkins Group working to raise such a substantial amount of money for Action for Children. We’re really grateful for all the hard work put in by the staff and thank the Travis Perkins Group for its generosity over the past three years.”

Mr MacIntyre added: “We really appreciate everything the Travis Perkins Group has done for Mencap. The time and effort put in by the staff has been outstanding. They have raised an incredible amount of money that will make a huge difference to the lives of many people with a learning disability. We are very thankful to everyone at Travis Perkins.”

Geoff Cooper said: “We’re pleased to be able to provide both charities with such a considerable donation after working with Action for Children and Mencap over the past three years and we hope that the money will help to make a difference to the charities beneficiaries.

“This significant donation is testament to the dedication of our employees to help those who need it most. I’m really proud of everyone in the Group that got involved and helped to achieve such a great result.”