Three Watford charities have received a share of £3,000 to mark the opening of a new builders’ merchant in the town.
Selco Builders Warehouse today opened the doors to its 41st branch, located at Imperial Park in Watford, immediately handing over a £3,000 prize pot to be shared between homeless support charity New Hope, Watford Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault Centre and Watford & District Mencap.
Speaking at the opening chief executive, Chris Cunliffe, said the donation signalled the company’s commitment to giving something back to the local community. He said: “Wherever we open new branches, we immediately become a part of the community, employing local people, serving local tradespeople and supporting the local economy.
“We chose to support three charities with £1,000 each and as they are all self-funding this amount will make a massive difference to the people they support through their valuable and rewarding work.”
Founded in 1990 New Hope was established with the aim of supporting Watford’s homeless and vulnerably housed community. The organisation provides accommodation for 56 people per night, assisting more than 600 people each year helping them to get back on their feet. Nafisa Mantel, community and events fundraiser at New Hope was thrilled to receive Selco’s donation. She said: “We have seven different services each addressing different housing issues so the donation will be put to very good use.
The Official opening of the new Selco Branch in Watford, Hertfordshire. Pictured is store manager Andy Colbourne cutting the ribbon with Selco Directors with charity winners, from Watford Rape Crisis, New Hope, and Watford Mancap.
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“With £1,000 we can provide crisis accommodation for 42 people giving them a bed for the night and that’s something that has a huge impact on those individuals.”
At Watford Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault Centre (WRC), volunteers offer non-judgemental support through a dedicated helpline and face to face counselling service. It supports both men & women who have been raped or sexually abused, providing a safe place for survivors to come and talk about their feelings. Honorary treasurer, Frances Lehane, said: “Like so many Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centres we are always in need of financial support as we do not charge our service users for the work we do with them.
“The £1,000 donation from Selco will provide extra training to enable us to be there for the many women and men who sadly require our services.”
Local independent charity Watford & District Mencap supports people of all ages that have a lifelong learning disability such as Down’s syndrome or autism. Over 800 people and their families are assisted each year receiving services such as residential housing, children’s after-school activities, holiday schemes and hobby clubs as well as adult learning and leisure activities.
Michelle Hamilton, grants and trusts fundraiser, said: “£1,000 could pay for a teenager to attend sessions at our weekly Hand in Hand youth club for a whole year. Hand in Hand is the only local youth club that caters for the needs of teens with learning disabilities and also guarantees their parents three hours respite a week.”
Selco CEO, Chris Cunliffe, added: “The Watford branch, like all our branches, will give customers the full service offer. We have extensive kitchen and bathroom displays, Click + Collect where customers can purchase online and pick their orders up in branch within an hour, Selco Hire, a simple and cost effective equipment hire solution, van size parking, a café and a wide range of building materials in stock in branch.
Selco Watford also offers an extensive range of building materials, drainage, roofing, heating, plumbing and electrical products, a range of timber including a bespoke cutting service, doors and windows, ironmongery and fixings, decorating supplies, landscaping and fencing items as well as kitchen and bathroom showrooms.
An in-branch cafe, trade services, direct to site delivery options and van size parking spaces, all help to make it easier for tradespeople to get onto the job as soon as possible.
For more information on Selco or to find details of local branches, log onto www.selcobw.com.