International Decorative Surfaces (IDS) raised over £8,800 through a charity auction and raffle, held as part of their annual conference. The money has been donated to their 2014 – 2016 campaign for charity, Macmillan Cancer Support and is one of many fundraising activities taking place in 2015.

60 delegates from IDS attended the two-day conference at the Imperial War Museum in Manchester and the auction and raffle were part of a gala dinner held at the end of the first day.

The array of auction prizes included a signed Mark Cavendish cycling shirt, a luxury TV, a golf day at Woburn Abbey and opportunities to stay in holiday properties in Dubai, Majorca and Turkey which all encouraged some competitive bidding. A raffle was also held with top quality prizes on offer including experience days, an iPad and a Fortnum and Mason hamper.

The fundraising adds to over £461,000 raised in total for Macmillan Cancer Support by IDS’ parent company, Saint-Gobain, through their ‘Together’ initiative - a unique partnership between colleagues, customers, suppliers, friends and family supported by Saint-Gobain Building Distribution businesses. Since ‘Together’ was launched in 2002 it has raised £2.3 million and helped make a positive difference to the lives of thousands of people.

Says John Bagshaw, managing director of IDS:

“We are delighted to have raised vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support who are our chosen charity partner for two years and I thank everyone who took part in the auction, whether it was by donating a prize or bidding on the night. We all have an opportunity to make a difference and this provided us with a fantastic start to our fundraising in 2015 and we have many more events planned throughout the year.”

This money raised to date by Saint-Gobain UK for Macmillan Cancer Support has been used purely to fund Macmillan nurses, who offer support not only to people affected by cancer, but to their friends and family.