Tooting home improvers dig deep for Macmillan Cancer Support

Home improvers and tradespeople in Tooting have dug deep to raise almost £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Leading decorating and DIY specialist Leyland SDM has handed over a bumper cheque for £111,683 to the charity after fundraising events across its 32 London stores.

A significant proportion of that amount - £50,000 – was raised through the business' Do it For London campaign, which encouraged customers to donate at least £1 when buying products at the end of last year.

Customers in Tooting were amongst the most generous.

Leyland SDM's Tooting store on Tooting High Street raised £1,834.

Macmillan said the donation would help them to continue to support cancer care professionals and the thousands of Londoners with cancer who may have faced disruption to their treatment or appointments due to the pandemic.

Jonathan Jennings, CEO at Leyland SDM, said: "We are delighted to be able to make this huge donation to Macmillan, which is the result of three campaigns run across our stores.

"The generosity of our customers has been astounding and we are extremely grateful to them for getting involved so wholeheartedly. It's a cause which is clearly very close to people's hearts.

"Over the course of the year, we have had the pleasure of meeting people who have been helped by Macmillan, as well as Macmillan representatives, and it's been humbling and inspiring to hear their stories.

"There is no doubt this money will be well-used to help provide vital support to people with cancer."

Macmillan is the UK's leading cancer support charity, with an ambition to do whatever it takes to help people with cancer live life as fully as possible.

Covid-19 has put enormous physical and mental strain on people living with cancer, many of whom have experienced isolation, anxiety and even disruption to their treatment.

Robert Moon, Head of Relationship Fundraising at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "We are extremely grateful to Leyland SDM and its generous customers for this tremendous donation.

"The coronavirus crisis has created major disruption to cancer services in the UK, leaving many people facing an anxious and uncertain time whilst waiting for their treatment and care to resume. Concerns about delays in receiving treatment, alongside increased emotional distress and financial uncertainty have left many feeling desperately anxious and alone.

"Macmillan's Online Community gives people living with cancer the opportunity to connect with experts, share their experiences and find emotional and practical support from others in a similar situation. The Online Community can be used anonymously, in confidence and from the comfort of home and Leyland SDMs incredible support could help run the Macmillan Cancer Support Online Community forum for eight and a half months."

Anyone in need of cancer support can call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, which is open seven days a week, 8am-8pm, or visit Macmillan's Online Community. Those who are experiencing cancer symptoms should contact their GP as a matter of urgency.

Leyland SDM has become one of the most recognisable and trusted decorating and DIY retail brands in central London with stores in some of the capital's most prominent locations.

This month the growing business opened its eighth new store of the year when it cut the ribbon on its Bayswater premises at 96 Bishop's Bridge Road, London W2 5AA.