NMBS is setting out to find the independent merchant that best gets into the spirit of the Halloween season, with the launch of a competition to raise money for construction industry charity CRASH.

To enter the competition, merchants have to transform their trade counters, displays, or even part of their yard, using all manner of spooky decorations to celebrate Halloween on 31 October.

Staff members are also being encouraged to dress up for the occasion – the spookier and more creative the outfit, the better – while asking customers and fellow staff members to sponsor them, and to give generously to CRASH.

NMBS’ suppliers can also get involved by decorating their offices and showrooms in support of the charity.

Merchants and suppliers should upload photos of their spook-tacular decorated branches and fancy dress to Twitter and Instagram on 31 October, tagging @nationalmerch and using the hashtag #nmbshalloween.

NMBS is offering prizes for the best entries. The best branch – as voted for by NMBS – will win 10,000 Professional Points to spend with NMBS, worth £500. The person voted the best dressed on the day will win a six-piece Makita Power Tool Kit.

Once all sponsorship money has been collected, NMBS is asking merchants and suppliers to donate it to CRASH via a dedicated page on Virgin Money Giving with the ultimate goal of raising more than £5,000 for the charity.

CRASH is a practical charity that assists homelessness and hospice charities with construction-related projects, creating places that care for people. It works collaboratively with the projects it supports, offering free-of-charge professional expertise, by sourcing and specifying building materials, and by awarding cash grants donated by the construction and property industry.

Dean Hayward, Sales and Marketing Manager at NMBS, said: “We wanted to do something fun and a little different with our members and suppliers to celebrate Halloween, and what better than to use the occasion to support a fantastic industry charity. We would encourage all our members and suppliers to get involved – and involve their customers too – so we can raise as much as possible for the vital work that CRASH does.”