June/July 2026 housewareslive.net


NEWS


Rainy Day Trust launches ‘Thousand Smiles September’ wellbeing campaign


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he Rainy Day Trust has launched Thousand Smiles September, a new industry-wide wellbeing initiative encouraging businesses across the home improvement and home enhancement sectors to carry out one act of kindness every day throughout September. The campaign aims to improve mental wellbeing while raising


funds to support people in the industry facing financial hardship or mental health challenges. Building on the success of the Trust’s Mad March Million challenge, which saw 136 participants from more than 20 businesses complete 2.2 million steps, the new initiative focuses on emotional wellbeing rather than physical activity. Teams of four will log daily acts of kindness using the Habits for Health app, earning points on a live leaderboard while contributing to a sector-wide smiles counter. The Trust estimates that if 80 teams take part, the campaign could raise around £8,000, enough to


fund approximately 200 hours of mental health support.


Anna Skeats, CEO of the Rainy Day Trust, said: “Our sector has disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges. But we also have something special – a strong community of people who look out for each other.” Registration is now open, with teams required to sign up by


August 1 ahead of the September challenge. Businesses can contact the Rainy Day Trust directly for more information.


British Garden Centres duo complete Kilimanjaro challenge for Greenfingers Charity


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ritish Garden Centres’ Libby and Phillippa Stubbs have successfully reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro as part of a fundraising expedition for Greenfingers Charity, and are now making a final appeal to help reach their £50,000 fundraising target. The mother-and-daughter duo were among 23 horticultural industry professionals who completed


the seven-day trek to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres. The money raised will fund the creation of the Kilimanjaro Garden at Naomi House & Jacksplace Hospice in Winchester, transforming an outdoor space into a fully accessible sensory garden for children and young adults with life-limiting conditions. The climb also marked a personal milestone for British Garden Centres Director Phillippa Stubbs, who completed the challenge to celebrate her 50th birthday. Phillippa Stubbs said: “If we can give families somewhere beautiful to breathe, somewhere peaceful to just be together, then every blister was worth it.” The fundraising effort has been supported by Smart Garden Products, Westland Horticulture, Troo


and Sylvester Keal. The pair are now calling on businesses across the garden and home improvement sectors to help push the campaign beyond its £50,000 target, with donations supporting Greenfingers Charity’s work creating therapeutic gardens at children’s hospices across the UK.


Hancock & Wood to close after 112 years as final sale begins H


ancock & Wood is preparing to close its doors after more than 112 years in business, bringing an end to one of Warrington’s longest-established retailers. The independent department store, which first opened in 1914, confirmed earlier this month that it will cease trading permanently, citing mounting employment costs, rising utility bills and increasing business rates as key factors behind the decision. Ahead of its final day of trading, the retailer will launch a storewide closing down sale on July 3, with discounts of up to 70% across all remaining stock. Two invitation-only sale events for selected customers will take place on 1 and July 2 A spokesperson for Hancock & Wood said: “It will be up to 70 per cent off throughout the store. Everything is reduced and everything must go. “We have some fantastic offers.” In announcing the closure, the retailer paid tribute to the customers and employees who have supported the business over


more than a century. A spokesperson


said: “We would like to thank all those customers and staff, past and present, who have supported us over the years. “It will indeed be a sad day for us to say goodbye to Warrington.”


The family-run


retailer said the decision to close had not been taken lightly but that the continued rise in operating costs had made the business unsustainable.


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