AND FINALLY
STARK UK roars into charity fundrasing race success
STARK Building Materials hosted its fourth annual Dragon Boat Race at Draycote Water, raising an outstanding £79,500 for Band of Builders and Whiteley’s Retreat.
The first event featured 180 participants and raised £30,000. Since then, the race has grown with an increasing number of suppliers, colleagues.
This year’s event featured 25 teams and 42 suppliers, with 470 participants from across STARK UK’s network including J P Corry in Northern Ireland, Norman’s of Jersey, STARK Denmark, Major Build Solutions, Jewson Partnership Solutions,
and STARK’s regional teams from Wales and Central.
The day included a series of round-robin races, a bake sale, raffle, and BBQ lunch. The final saw Team Ibstock Brick (the Clay Fired Dragons) win.
Richard Holland, category manager at STARK UK says “This race is about far more than competition. It’s about bringing people together – colleagues, suppliers, friends – and creating a space where relationships can grow. Our industry thrives on connection, and events like this remind us that when we come together with a shared purpose, we can achieve incredible things. “We’re proud to support charities that do so much for others, and we’re equally proud of the culture we’re building at STARK UK – one that values people, partnership, and purpose.”
James Hardie’s Plank Challenge returns
James Hardie, in collaboration with several builders merchants, has announced the return of The Hardie Plank challenge, a roadshow event that aims to increase the number of trained installers across the UK. The challenge will take place in 15 locations across the UK, with three events per region covering South East, South West, Midlands, North and Scotland.
This year’s event began on June 12 in Wrexham, and runs until October when the winners will be announced.
At each event the merchant invites installers and customers to attend and learn about the
James Hardie range of products with a focus on Hardie Plank cladding products. Participants will receive
installation training from a James Hardie technical expert and be invited to take part in the challenge where competitors will race against the clock to install the Hardie Plank. All participants will receive a branded James Hardie goodie bag and the ‘Fastest Fixer’ on the day will win a brand new JBL Bluetooth Speaker and a £150 voucher. Lee Bucknall, UK country manager at James Hardie, said: “Building on the success of last year’s award-winning event we wanted to work with builders
Selco managers gather for charity bike ride
Store managers from across the North London stores of builders merchant Selco Builders Warehouse took on the ‘Ride the Region’ challenge, to raise more than £8,000 for Selco’s nominated charity, Cancer Research UK.
merchants across the country to increase knowledge of our Hardie Plank products, and also create another exciting opportunity for professional installers to compete for the much coveted title of ‘Fastest Fixer’ in the country!”
Crown Paints partners up with Mind and Mental Health Ireland
Crown Paints has announced a new three-year charity partnership with mental health charities Mind and Mental Health Ireland. The partnership will see the paint manufacturer raise awareness and funds for both charities while supporting internal wellbeing initiatives and external campaigns that promote better mental health across the painting and decorating industry in the UK and Ireland. The announcement follows Crown Paints Ireland’s recent involvement in Mental Health Ireland’s national “Hello, How Are You?” campaign. Matt Crossingham, managing director at Crown Paints, said: “We’re looking forward to supporting Mind and Mental Health Ireland make a positive difference to people’s lives.”
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The charity bike ride started at Hanger Lane , West London, as part of the Selco’s store 20th anniversary celebration. The group of 12 cyclists, backed by a support team, cycled 55 miles over two days, largely along the Grand Union Canal, to reach their final destination of Selco’s Milton Keynes store. Ashley Watts, manager of Selco Kingsbury, and one of the event organisers, said: “We had a mixed ability of cyclists but everyone stuck together and we got through the two days without any punctures, injuries or any other incidents. To be able to join a group of colleagues, and in many cases friends, and to complete a challenge such as this was a fantastic feeling and there was a real sense of accomplishment.
“We are thrilled to have raised the amount of money we have for Cancer Research UK. It’s a charity which is very close to the hearts of a lot of people who took part and the planning is already underway for the next charity event.”
Selco has been supporting Cancer Research UK for the last three years and has now raised well over £500,000, which is used to help the charity’s studies into the prevention and treatment of cancer through the work of over 4,000 doctors, nurses and scientists.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2025
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