Selco News

A Hertfordshire animal hospital that provides veterinary care and rehabilitation for Britain’s injured, sick and orphaned wildlife has been named as a Selco Community Hero.

Pumpkins Wildlife Hospital, in Rickmansworth, is the latest winner in our flagship charitable campaign.

The charity has scooped £1,000 to spend at our Watford store - found on Imperial Way - which it intends to use to buy timber to create new aviaries for animals in its care.

Sarah Arnold, Fundraising Lead at Pumpkins, said: “We were over the moon to hear we had been successful in Selco’s amazing Community Heroes competition.

“We partner with local communities, rescue charities and veterinary organisations to give all our patients the best possible chance of release back to the wild and to protect their habitats for the future.

“We also share our knowledge and expertise through training and work experience opportunities with the veterinary community to develop the skills and awareness needed to drive change across the country.

"These materials will allow us to build a new aviary for our birds of prey including owls and also improve the facilities for our foxes, hedgehogs and other animals.

“It’s a tremendous boost and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

Community Heroes is now in its fifth year, having supported groups and organisations with tens of thousands of pounds worth of prizes during that time.

This year the overall prize pot is worth a best-ever £57,500, including 40 prizes of £1,000 to spend in-store, a top prize of £10,000 in cash, £5,000 for a runner-up and £2,500 for third place.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “One of the wonderful things about Community Heroes is the variety of good causes we can support, from sports clubs to foodbanks, schools to youth clubs – and much more.

“Of course, we have many animal loving colleagues at Selco, so we’re delighted to be able to support the fantastic work of Pumpkins Wildlife Hospital, which cares for wildlife that would otherwise have to fight for survival on their own.”

A Surrey organisation that installs cinema rooms in children’s hospices and other deserving venues has won building materials from us to help bring a smile to more young people’s faces.

Together for Cinema CIC, based in Leatherhead, works with the audio visual industry to help families at the most challenging of times by bringing the big screen experience to children.

So far, the group has installed 56 cinema rooms in hospices and other care locations.

The group has received a boost after being named as a Community Hero in our award-winning charitable campaign, securing £1,000 to spend in store on building materials.

“These rooms not only benefit the children and young adults, but also their families, carers, staff and volunteers,” said Ian Morrish, Founder and Managing Director of Together For Cinema CIC.

“We have comprehensive backing from the AV industry and all products and installation services are donated. Had we been required to pay for the 56 cinema rooms we have completed, it would have cost around £1.5m.

“We’re extremely grateful to Selco for choosing us as a Community Hero. It means we will be able to buy timber and fixings which are used in every cinema room install we complete.

“It’s fantastic news and will help to lift the spirits of many people.”

Colleagues for Together for Cinema CIC will now head to Selco Weybridge on Avro Way to select their materials.

We have supported dozens of groups and organisations through Community Heroes since its launch.

Now in its fifth year, this edition of Community Heroes is bigger than ever before, with £57,500 worth of prizes up for grabs, including 40 prizes of £1,000 to spend in-store, a top prize of £10,000 in cash, £5,000 for a runner-up and £2,500 for third place.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “Nothing gives me and my team more pleasure than trawling through the monthly Community Heroes entries and reading about all the amazing things people do to make this country a better place.

“Choosing the winners is supremely difficult, but Together for Cinema CIC stood out due to the valuable service it offers to young people and their families.

“Colleagues at our Weybridge store look forward to welcoming the team and helping them collect all the materials they need for their next project.”

A Chelmsford charity that supports some of the city’s most vulnerable people has been awarded a haul of building materials to improve its facilities.

Sanctus, based on Broomfield Road, has won £1,000 to spend at Selco through our Community Heroes campaign.

The charity provides food, a community space, companionship, healthcare and one-to-one support to people in need, including the homeless, those in addiction, the elderly and the isolated.

Charity leaders said the materials would be used to improve the communal areas within its main building.

Emma Hughes, Sanctus CEO, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win this support from Selco.

“We are a small but vital charity that began 13 years ago by offering food to people in the evening from a cafe. Within a few weeks the decision was made to provide an all-day service for the rough sleeping community and the charity grew from there, helping people who have nowhere else to turn.

“We have learnt a tremendous amount over the years as demand has increased. We could not have had such a great impact without the help of so many amazing supporters - and it's wonderful to add Selco to that list.”

Emma and the team will visit our Chelmsford store, on Chelmsford Trade Park, to select its materials.

The award-winning Community Heroes programme has been running for five years – and this edition is the biggest ever, with a stunning £57,500 on offer to good causes across the county.

As well as 40 monthly prizes of £1,000, there is also a top prize of £10,000 in cash on offer to an overall winner, £5,000 for a runner-up and £2,500 for third place.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “We have supported some incredible good causes through Community Heroes this year – and Sanctus is another very worthy winner.

“Sanctus works hard to build relationships and trust with its service users to help people build a more positive future.”

Dozens of our suppliers and colleagues went full throttle to raise thousands of pounds at a special charity go-karting event.

Teams created from across the trade supplies arena donned racing overalls and took to the grid at Daytona Motorsport in Milton Keynes for our first ever fast-paced fundraiser.

The two-day racing extravaganza – which attracted more than 120 suppliers and colleagues – raised £20,000 for our charity of the year, Cancer Research UK.

David Lennon, Commercial Director at Selco, said: “This was the first time we have organised a go-karting fundraiser and it was absolutely fantastic.

“We had teams travel from right across the country to take part and there was plenty of thrilling racing.

“Day one saw competitors post qualifying times ahead of a full dinner and team selection in the evening, while day two was dominated by a three-hour endurance race between the teams.

“We are always looking for innovative ways to engage our suppliers, customers and colleagues in raising money for Cancer Research UK, which is a charity so close to our hearts.

“A huge thank you to our valued suppliers and colleagues who participated and created an event to remember.”

The racers initially took part in a practice session and were split into fast, medium and slow groups to ensure competitive racing when the teams were selected.

As well as the entry fees, further funds were raised for Cancer Research UK courtesy of the teams being able to purchase penalties for rivals and boosts to their own lap tally.

The winning team was CORE Landscape Products, captained by Harvey Keates. Second place went to ACO Water Management UK, skippered by James Galloway, while Keith Brophy's Stonemarket team came home in third.

We have been supporting Cancer Research UK for the last three years and have now raised well over £600,000, 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.

A wide range of fundraising activities have taken place involving our colleagues and suppliers over the last year, including gruelling canoeing and cycling challenges.

A Birmingham refuge for women and children fleeing domestic abuse has won building materials through Community Heroes to carry out renovation work.

Gilgal Birmingham supports vulnerable people who have been made homeless after escaping difficult situations, helping them take back control of their lives.

The charity has been boosted by winning £1,000 to spend with us through our Community Heroes campaign.

Sanja Kalik, of Gilgal, said the prize would help make significant improvements to its Birmingham facilities.

She said: “We offer a lifeline out of critical situations for some of society’s most vulnerable people, providing specialist support, confidence building activities, skills workshops and employability support.

“We support women to rebuild their lives, achieve financial independence in a challenging economy and live free from abuse long-term.

“We are delighted to win this fantastic prize from Selco. We have a team of women who have recently completed carpentry and DIY skills workshops and they will be able to use these materials from Selco to make renovations to our refuge.

“Support from local businesses such as Selco makes a huge difference.”

This year we have a stunning £57,500 on offer for good causes across the county.

As well as 40 monthly prizes of £1,000, Community Heroes will also see a top prize of £10,000 in cash awarded to an overall winner, £5,000 for a runner-up and £2,500 for third place.

Any group that supports the local community can enter online.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “We are delighted to support Gilgal Birmingham and its important work with vulnerable women and children. I’m sure the refuge will continue to have a welcoming feel once the work has been carried out.”

A small school in the heart of Greenwich will be able to breathe fresh life into its old Victorian building after being named as a Selco Community Hero.

Meridian School, a mainstream primary with a nursery which also offers specialist provision for deaf children, is celebrating after winning £1,000 to spend at one of our stores.

Pupils can now look forward to a brighter and cleaner environment with the building materials being used to uplift both the inside and outside of the school.

Vicky Pang, a trustee of Friends of Meridian School, (the PTA) said: “This is fantastic news for the school. We’re all so proud to be named a Community Hero.

“Meridian School is a single-form entry school with Designated Special Provision (DSP) for deaf children.

“That means these children are able to learn alongside their peers in a mainstream setting whilst also being supported by the extra provisions they need.

“As a small, inner-city school, we don’t receive the same scale of funding as others, making maintaining or decorating an old Victorian building very difficult.

“These materials will allow us to make a tangible difference, providing our children with a welcoming and refreshed environment for them to learn and play.”

Colleagues at our Charlton store on Woolwich Road will help the school select the right materials for the job.

This year’s Community Heroes campaign has already seen £20,000 worth of building supplies donated to worthy groups across the UK.

The campaign runs until the end of September and has a total fund of £57,500, made up of 40 individual prizes of £1,000 to spend in-store, a top prize of £10,000 in cash, £5,000 for a runner-up and £2,500 for third place.

Any group that supports the local community can enter online.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “Community Heroes 2025 has really captured the imagination of the nation, and we’re proud to have already donated £20,000 worth of materials to fantastic groups across the country.

“Anyone with children knows that school budgets are extremely stretched and even the most basic renovations are very difficult to fund.

“We hope this prize will help make a significant difference and our colleagues in Charlton look forward to welcoming the school to store.

“We still have thousands of pounds’ worth of materials to be won, so we’d urge groups of all shapes and sizes to log on and enter.”

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity has received a donation of building materials from us to help upgrade overnight accommodation for its hard-working crew.

The life-saving charity, which operates 24/7 across Wales, has received £1,000 to spend with us through our Community Heroes initiative.

The materials will be used to improve crew accommodation and welfare facilities at Wales Air Ambulance’s Cardiff airbase.

Hannah Mitchell, Grants and Trusts Fundraiser for Wales Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are thrilled to be named a Selco Community Hero and to win these materials.

“We deliver critical medical care to people across Wales, attending those suffering from a life or limb-threatening injury or illness.

“The highly skilled crew on board our helicopters can carry out medical procedures which would usually only be available within a hospital setting.

“We are in urgent need of upgrading the accommodation area at our Cardiff airbase for the crew to use when staying for their overnight shift. These materials will make a huge difference and we cannot wait to start the renovations.”

Wales Air Ambulance is the only charity of its kind dedicated to the people of Wales and relies entirely on charitable donations, requiring £11.2m every year to keep the helicopters in the air and the fleet of rapid response vehicles on the road.

Charity representatives will visit Selco Swansea in Llansamlet to select the materials.

This year we are giving away an incredible £57,500 to good causes across the country through Community Heroes, including 40 individual prizes of £1,000 to spend in store.

Running until the end of September, the campaign will also see a top prize of £10,000 in cash awarded to an overall winner, £5,000 for a runner-up and £2,500 for third place.

Any group that supports its local community can enter online.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “We are so proud to announce another amazing Community Hero winner. We have already presented 25 good causes with £1,000 worth of materials in 2025 with 15 winners still to come.

“Wales Air Ambulance does sensational work, attending over 3,500 emergency incidents each year. With our support, their heroic crew will be able to be more comfortable and benefit from valuable rest when working the night shift.

“We look forward to hearing from more incredible charities and community groups before the campaign closing date.”

Volunteers at a community farm in Southampton will have a warm place to shelter this winter after the project won materials from us.

Aldermoor Community Farm has been announced as a monthly winner in our Community Heroes campaign, receiving £1,000 to spend in store.

Four individuals bought an acre of agricultural land in the city in 2014 and transformed it into a community farm and farm shop promoting wellbeing and sustainability for local residents.

The prize will be used to erect and insulate an on-site cabin so volunteers have a place to shelter when the weather turns.

Deborah White, of Aldermoor Community Farm, said: “We are thrilled to win this support from Selco. We have a vision to nurture people while we nurture the land – and these materials will help us achieve that goal.

“We have been planning to build a cabin for a while to encourage all year-round activity, so this is a huge boost.

“Our aim has always been to build a community through activity on the farm and to support individuals with their positive mental health and wellbeing.

“Users tell us that getting out of the house and being around caring people, animals and nature really helps.”

The farm grows a wide range of produce, including salad leaves, tomatoes, chili peppers, potatoes and herbs. Chickens and ducks are also kept on site, producing high quality eggs.

Deborah and the team plan to visit our Southampton store on Millbrook Industrial Estate to pick up its materials.

This year’s Selco Community Heroes campaign is bigger and better than ever, with a total prize pot of £57,500.

That includes 40 monthly prizes of £1,000 credit to spend in store, as well as a top prize of £10,000 in cash for an overall winner, £5,000 for a runner-up and £2,500 for third place.

Entries are open until September and any group that supports its local community can enter online.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “Countless studies show that being around other people, nature and animals can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, so we’re delighted to support Aldermoor Community Farm and its work in Southampton.

“We receive hundreds of Community Heroes applications every month but Aldermoor Community Farm really stood out with its clear plans for future development.

“We are proud to have already donated £25,000 worth of building materials through Community Heroes this year – but there is still time to enter and win big.

“Our team looks forward to pouring over hundreds more applications before the closing date.”

A community-led allotment association in Slough is set to bolster its security after winning new fencing in our Community Heroes competition.

Britwell Garden & Allotments Association manages 50 allotment plots on Cowper Road in Britwell.

The group has received a significant boost after winning £1,000 to spend at its local Selco store through Community Heroes.

Zibby Miedzianowski, spokesman for Britwell Garden & Allotments Association, said the store credit would be used to replace broken fencing to protect the space from vandalism.

“All our members were thrilled to bits to hear we had won the funding from Selco,” he said.

“We’re completely volunteer led and we support 100 local residents through 50 plots in Britwell.

“Our site promotes healthy living, sustainable food and wellbeing for people of all ages and backgrounds.

“This new fencing will not only protect the facility but also make it safer and more welcoming. This prize will make a huge difference to our community.”

Zibby and the team plan to visit Selco Slough on Farnham Road to pick up the materials.

This year’s Community Heroes campaign is bigger and better than ever, with a total prize pot of £57,500.

That includes 40 monthly prizes of £1,000 credit to spend in store, as well as a top prize of £10,000 in cash for an overall winner, £5,000 for a runner-up and £2,500 for third place.

Entries are open until September and any group that supports its local community can enter online.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “We’re delighted to support the volunteers at Britwell Garden & Allotments Association in their quest to provide high quality allotments for people in the local area.

“Allotments promote community engagement and healthy living, so we are delighted to help.

“Community Heroes has been a huge success once again. We have already awarded £25,000 worth of building materials to good causes across the country with a further £15,000 to be won before our overall cash winners are decided.

“Supporting good causes has always been central to the Selco ethos and Community Heroes is just one way in which we do that.”

The team behind the restoration of a derelict swimming baths in Rock Ferry has received our backing.

The Byrne Avenue Baths closed in 2009 but was saved from bulldozers by a charity following a public campaign and reopened in 2021.

The Byrne Avenue Trust has now won £1,000 of building materials through our Community Heroes campaign.

The charity plans to use the materials to continue its renovations of the beautiful listed building, with longer term plans to open a craft room, offering creative activities including art, recycling and sewing.

Jane Richards, CEO of The Byrne Avenue Trust, said: “The whole community pulled together to save the baths, which is now open as a busy sports and community centre, offering sporting opportunities, activities and affordable social events.

“Last year we created a community shop selling basics at subsidised prices. Our next goal is the craft room, which we hope will also be well-loved.

“We couldn’t have achieved what we have without the generous support of local businesses. We’re thrilled to be a Selco Community Hero and look forward to visiting the Liverpool store to select our materials.”

As well as 40 monthly prizes of £1,000, Community Heroes will also see a top prize of £10,000 in cash awarded to an overall winner, £5,000 for a runner-up and £2,500 for third place – taking the overall prize pot to a record-breaking £57,500.

Entries are open until September and any group that supports its local community can enter online.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing, said: “This year’s Community Heroes campaign is bigger and better and ever. We have already awarded £25,000 of building materials to good causes across the country with plenty more prizes to come.

“Many people in Rock Ferry will remember Byrne Avenue Baths from their younger days so it’s great that this charity was able to save it from demolition.

“The building already looks amazing and these materials will help to make it even better for the community to enjoy.”