Selco News

Our fantastic colleagues, customers and suppliers are celebrating scaling the fundraising heights by breaking through the £500,000 barrier for Cancer Research UK.

We’ve passed through the incredible milestone after just two-and-a-half years of raising funds for the charity by doing the equivalent of the following - walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats, climbing Mount Everest four times and cycling five versions of the Tour de France.

Collectively our teams have climbed more than 38,000m, walked 1.7 million steps and cycled over 11,000 miles.

All the money raised has been donated to Cancer Research UK to help fund vital research by scientists, doctors and nurses in the quest to help beat cancer.

The fundraising has seen our colleagues, customers and suppliers take part in a host of in-store events, golf days, runs, bike rides and abseiling challenges, amongst other activities.

Colleagues and customers also donated more than 1,000 bags of clothes and household items to Cancer Research UK to sell in its outlets across the country in 2024, an initiative which is also continuing this year.

Selco Chief Executive Frank Elkins said: “It’s been a phenomenal effort from the entire Selco family.

“For everyone to join forces to raise such an incredible amount of money is testament to how much the charity has been taken to the hearts of all associated with Selco.

“All of us have, in one way or another, been touched by cancer in our lives and the work Cancer Research UK does to find a solution to this horrible disease is inspiring.

“We are honoured to have played a part in providing the funding to allow the doctors, scientists and nurses to continue their outstanding work – and we look forward to carrying on with our support throughout the rest of this year.”

Our donation of £500,000 can be invested in numerous different routes by Cancer Research UK.

Such a total can be used to support Dr Marco Bezzi for three years as he works to understand how prostate cancer evolves to develop resistance to treatment and designing therapies to tackle it.

Alternatively, the money could be used to fund the work of Prof Richard Grundy in Birmingham, leading a major trial to improve survival for children with a rare type of brain tumour known as ependymoma.

Jayna Kawa, Relationship Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Selco have been wonderful supporters of Cancer Research UK and to achieve a fundraising figure of £500,000 in two-and-a-half-years is phenomenal. We are thrilled that the partnership is continuing in 2025.

“Selco received a Special Commendation in our recent Flame of Hope Awards and that recognition couldn’t have been any more deserved as they have been one of the most impactful corporate relationship partners across Cancer Research UK.

“Everyone associated with the company approaches the fundraising with complete commitment and we are hugely grateful to the support Selco provides which will make a massive difference to the work and research our teams can carry out.”

Children who spent Easter in hospitals across Dorset were given an eggs-tra special treat by kind-hearted customers and colleagues at our Selco Poole store.

Based at Fleets Corner Business Park on Waterloo Road, our Poole team held a collection in the lead-up to the holiday weekend, with hundreds of pounds worth of special treats collected.

The donation was made to the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity, which fundraises for University Hospitals Dorset, an NHS Foundation Trust that includes Royal Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Hospitals.

Chris Dunn, deputy manager at Selco Poole, said: “We wanted to do something for the children in our local area who are going through tough times and had to spend the Easter holidays in hospital.

“We urged our colleagues and customers to donate Easter eggs, other chocolate treats and any other items which would be suitable for children for the time of the year, such as bunny ears, colouring and crafts.

“We were absolutely thrilled with the response we received and our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who donated.

“Our customer base is made up of tradespeople and their kindness really shone through - it was fantastic to see all our colleagues get behind the campaign too.

“It was brilliant to be able to make such a sizeable donation to University Hospitals Dorset and we hope there were plenty of smiles on the faces of the children as they received their presents.”

A hair loss and breast cancer support service in Medway has won building materials from us to help revamp its new premises.

Cleopatra's Legacy CIC in Chatham has been named as a regional monthly winner in our Community Heroes competition, securing £1,000 to spend in store.

The organisation - which provides wigs, breast forms and support services to people in the region – is soon moving to a new location as its current High Street lease is ending. The £1,000 worth of materials will allow the group to carry out necessary renovations.

Emma Mulcrow, Company Secretary at Cleopatra's Legacy CIC, said: “We are so grateful to Selco for their support.

“We understand the emotional and physical toll that mastectomy and hair loss can take and we are committed to helping our clients regain their confidence and sense of self.

“The end of our current lease means we are being forced to a more expensive location requiring significant renovations. Selco’s support means our essential services can continue uninterrupted, allowing us to create a welcoming space for vulnerable clients.”

Cleopatra's Legacy CIC will visit Selco Rochester on Medway City Estate to select its materials.

Our award-winning Community Heroes campaign re-launched last month with a new spectacular total prize fund of £57,500 – almost five-times bigger than ever before.

That includes 40 individual donations of £1,000 to spend in-store to organisations from York to Southampton.

There will also be overall top prize of £10,000 in cash, and second and third place runners-up will win £5,000 and £2,500 respectively.

Any group that supports the local community can apply online, including community centres, sports clubs, schools and uniformed organisations. Nominations are open until September.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “There are many ways Selco and our 75 stores support good causes, but Community Heroes is our flagship charitable programme every year.

"Cleopatra's Legacy stood out amongst the hundreds of entries we received in month one due to the practical support it offers people suffering life-changing conditions. They help people regain a sense of confidence at a traumatic time.

“Community Heroes has been supercharged this year and we look forward to celebrating all 40 regional winners between now and the start of autumn.”

A project to boost community cohesion across Wembley and the surrounding areas has won building materials from us to revamp its new base.

The Big Green Hub CIC has secured £1,000 to spend at their nearest store through our latest Community Heroes scheme.

The group focuses on reducing social isolation, improving health and providing educational opportunities through a range of engaging activities for local residents.

Its new premises in King Edward VII Park will allow The Big Green Hub CIC to extend its reach and support vulnerable residents in the surrounding boroughs, including Barnet, Camden, Harrow and Westminster.

Joanne Watson, of the group, said: “We were overwhelmed to receive this support from Selco. Our King Edward VII Park hub is fantastic but it does require some cosmetic improvements to make it a nice environment for our service users and these materials will go a long way.

“Our goal is to improve cohesion in the area and we do this with a series of fun activities, including coffee mornings, salsa dancing, guided wellbeing walks and a popular book club. All of our volunteers work hard to create a movement that makes a difference to people’s lives. To receive Selco’s backing to achieve our ambitions is a real boost.”

We recently launched our bigger-than-ever Community Heroes campaign for a fifth consecutive year. Keen to do even more to help good causes across the UK, we have upped the ante by increasing the total prize fund to an eye-catching £57,500.

Over the course of eight months, 40 organisations will scoop £1,000 to spend at their local store. There will also be an overall top prize of £10,000 in cash, and second and third place runners-up will win £5,000 and £2,500 respectively.

Any group that supports the local community can apply online, including community centres, sports clubs, schools and uniformed organisations. Nominations are open until September.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “Selecting our first five Community Heroes winners was a monumental task for our judging team but The Big Green Hub CIC stood out due to its valuable work in and around Wembley.

“Our award-winning Community Heroes programme has been a massive success over the last four years – and we’re delighted that it is back in this exciting new format.

“We have a huge prize pot up for grabs and we look forward to hearing from more great causes.”

A hospital radio station in Sutton has received help to fix its leaking roof – thanks to our Community Heroes campaign.

Radio St Helier has been entertaining patients at St Helier Hospital and Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children for 55 years.

But, while broadcasting has continued uninterrupted, a leak in the studio and dated interior has hampered volunteers in their efforts to bring uplifting music and chat to patients.

Now, Radio St Helier has won £1,000 of building materials through our relaunched Community Heroes scheme!

Andy Acton, of Radio St Helier, said: “We are so excited to be named as a Community Hero. All of our presenters work hard to bring some joy to everyone who listens. We are, however, a charity with no funding and that means we have to rely solely on donations.

“There is no way we would be able to fix and update our little studio if it wasn’t for the generous support of Selco. The revamp is going to really lift the spirits of our team and, therefore, our listeners.”

Volunteers at Radio St Helier are planning to visit Selco Sutton on Kimpton Parkway to select its materials.

The donation to Radio St Helier is just one of 40 gifts of £1,000 to spend in-store that we will be making to good causes through Community Heroes this year.

Not only that, but we have also announced an overall top prize of £10,000 in cash, and second and third place runners-up will win £5,000 and £2,500 respectively – taking the total prize fund to a spectacular £57,500.

Any group that supports the local community can apply online including community centres, sports clubs, schools and uniformed organisations. Nominations are open until September.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “We were inundated with entries to Community Heroes this month. It’s really eye-opening to see the incredible amount of good work that goes on across the country.

“Our team knows how valuable hospital radio is, particularly if you are an in-patient for a long time. The team at Radio St Helier work hard around the clock to bring quality content, so we’re pleased to be able to help reinvigorate their studio.

“Our award-winning Community Heroes programme continues to capture the imagination of the nation and we look forward to reading many more entries in the months to come.”

A charity which takes derelict houses in Leeds and turns them into comfortable accommodation for homeless people has been named as one of the first winners in Selco’s Community Heroes 2025 campaign.

LATCH (Leeds Action To Create Homes) has scooped £1,000 to spend in store and will use the materials to renovate more empty properties in some of the city’s most deprived areas, providing homes for people in need while reducing the number of eyesore buildings that can become magnets for anti-social behaviour.

Ruth Frost, Fundraising Manager at LATCH, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be a Selco Community Hero.

“These materials will make a huge difference in our work to create comfortable, supported homes in Leeds. We support tenants - around 80% of which are women and their children - for an average of three years with their mental health, confidence and practical skills like budgeting and help them back on their feet after homelessness.

“We also train unemployed local people in construction skills on the renovations and help them get their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.

“We’re passionate about our work and we are delighted Selco shares our vision.”

LATCH will visit our Leeds Roundhay store on Roundhay Road to select its materials.

This year we have pledged a £57,500 fund through our revamped Community Heroes scheme - including 40 individual prizes of £1,000 to spend in-store.

There will also be an overall top prize of £10,000 in cash, and second and third place runners-up will win £5,000 and £2,500 respectively.

Any group that supports the local community can apply online, including community centres, sports clubs, schools and uniformed organisations. Nominations are open until September.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “We're delighted to be supporting LATCH as one of our first Community Heroes of the year.

“Homelessness is on the rise across the UK so it is vital that charities like this exist to ease the problem.

“Community Heroes is our flagship charitable programme and attracts thousands of entries each year. This year we wanted to demonstrate our unwavering support for good causes by upping the ante and increasing the prize pot by almost 500%.

“Times are tough for charities and community groups and we remain determined to do what we can to help them continue their invaluable work.

“We look forward to supporting many more good causes in the weeks and months to come.”

A group which supports older people and reduces isolation in Bilston is preparing a centre makeover after winning a haul of building materials from us!

Bradley Senior Citizens Centre has won £1,000 to spend in one of our stores thanks to our re-vamped Community Heroes campaign.

This year we've pledged a £57,500 fund through Community Heroes - including 40 individual prizes of £1,000 to spend in-store.

The materials will allow Bradley Senior Citizens Centre to enhance its Wilkinson Avenue facilities, including by replacing rotten wooden doors and improving the toilets.

The much-loved group has over 100 members, aged from 60 to 103, and meets regularly for coffee mornings, dances and bingo.

Secretary Andrew Foster said: “We were thrilled to win this fantastic prize from Selco – it will make a tremendous difference.

“This organisation has been in operation since 1970 and we simply want to support older people living in Bilston by getting them out of the house and meeting with other people.

“Our members really appreciate our services but we have to completely finance ourselves and it is becoming increasingly difficult. Our water bill alone increased by £700 recently, for example. The support of local businesses means we can make tangible improvements.”

The group will visit our Wolverhampton store on Stafford Road to select their products.

The fifth edition of Community Heroes is open for entries until the end of September. As well as supporting 40 individual good causes, there will also be an overall top prize of £10,000 in cash, and second and third place runners-up will win £5,000 and £2,500 respectively.

Any group that supports the local community can apply online, including community centres, sports clubs, schools and uniformed organisations.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “A huge congratulations to Bradley Senior Citizens Centre for becoming one of our first Community Heroes winners of 2025.

“Community Heroes is our flagship charitable programme and attracts thousands of entries each year. This year we wanted to demonstrate our unwavering support for good causes by upping the ante and increasing the prize pot by almost 500%.

“Times are tough for charities and community groups and we remain determined to do what we can to help them continue their invaluable work.

“We look forward to supporting many more good causes in the weeks and months to come.”

We're proud to announce that our CEO Frank Elkins has been elected to the Board of the Builders Merchants Federation for the second time!

Frank has spent more than three decades in the merchanting industry and joined Selco last August, as well as assuming responsibility for Grafton’s trade distribution business in Great Britain.

This will be Frank’s second stint on the BMF Board having previously served for two years from April 2021.

Frank said: “I’m delighted to have been elected to the BMF Board once again. Having spent a long period operating in the sector, it’s something I’m extremely passionate about and I look forward to working with my peers to bring opportunities for the industry and those working in it.

“I'll be taking specific responsibility for people and skills and I’m excited about what we can achieve in that area.”

Builders Merchants Federation chairman Richard Hill said: “I'm delighted to welcome Frank back to the board for a second term. His expertise and dedication will be invaluable as we continue to drive innovation, develop the skills of those in the sector and build greater public awareness of our industry and the opportunities it offers.”

BMF CEO John Newcomb added: “Frank’s wealth of experience and passion for the industry and those working within it make him an excellent board member for the BMF. I look forward to working with him once again.”

We're delighted to have secured pole position by agreeing an exciting new partnership with a title-winning British Touring Car Championship team.

We'll be backing Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport for the 2025 campaign when its driver Jake Hill will be defending his title.

As well as enjoying a strong branding presence on the car and through other team assets, the new partnership will see nationwide hospitality and innovative activation campaigns across our stores.

The agreement will also see MB Motorsport – a team headed up by former Formula One driver Mark Blundell - working alongside us on community engagement initiatives.

David Lennon, Commercial Director, said: “We're delighted to be launching our new partnership with MB Motorsport in the BTCC.

“From our very first conversation, this programme felt like a very natural fit for Selco, our trade customers, colleagues and suppliers - as well as the communities in which we operate - and we look forward to bringing this partnership to life.

“The BTCC touches many areas of the country and the platform provides us with a unique opportunity to drive engagement and impact right across our loyal and trusted customer base.

“The unveiling of the car livery today has really stepped up the countdown to the new campaign and we can’t wait to see Jake in action for the first time this season at Donington Park at the end of April.”

The new partnership announcement comes at the same time as the much-anticipated reveal of MB Motorsport’s 2025 challenger BMW330i, with a striking new livery ahead of Hill’s title defence.

Mark Blundell, Sporting Director of MB Motorsport, said: “It is fantastic to announce our exciting new partnership with Selco Builders Warehouse.

“Here at MB Motorsport, we are proud of our record of welcoming big names and highly reputable companies into the pitlane and we are doing exactly that with Selco - another household name right across the UK.

“Like ourselves as an organisation, Selco has a passion for service and putting their trade customers first and we are united in that commitment. We can’t wait to showcase to Selco just how we can take this partnership forward with their customers, colleagues and suppliers.”

Selco’s first race weekend ‘appearance’ on Hill’s BMW330i will be at Donington Park on April 26 and 27.

Kind-hearted volunteers from amongst our colleagues rolled up their sleeves to help a local care home improve its garden area ahead of spring.

Half a dozen volunteers from our Bristol Bishopsworth branch spent two days on site at Brunelcare's Robinson House Care Home.

We also donated chippings and paint to dramatically revamp the home’s outdoor space.

Meanwhile, employees from LS Bristol Ltd and NJE Maintenance also got involved in the project by supplying the digger and pressure washers, as well as sending volunteers.

Maria Jones, Lead Homemaker at Robinson House, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who donated materials and volunteered their time to help us. I was lost for words when I saw the garden after the work – it looks amazing.

“The volunteers dug up the bamboo and laid the landscape fabric before putting the chippings down.

“All of the paving was also cleaned along with the furniture. The residents have been watching the progress from their windows and can’t wait to get out there in the spring. We run many activities in our outdoor space so it will really make a difference.”

Robinson House is a 70-bed care home providing a nursing-care lifestyle for older people with specific nursing needs, particularly for those living with dementia.

We're committed to helping local communities around our 75 UK branches and all colleagues are encouraged to get involved by using a paid volunteering day each year.

It means more than 20,000 hours will be donated to allow colleagues to support projects close to their hearts on a normal working day in 2025.

Steve Chandler, Branch Manager of Bristol Bishopsworth on Cater Road, said: “We were delighted to be able to help Robinson House and its residents.

“The garden gives people the chance to get out and enjoy some fresh air in a calm environment. We hope they enjoy their new facilities when spring finally arrives in a few weeks.

“Our colleagues love to get involved with the local community – and having a paid volunteering day means there is time set aside to help groups in need.”