Window firm staff raise £15,000 for charity

Staff at VEKA, off Rossendale Road, supplier of PVC and PVU components for windows and French doors, chose the Encephalitis Society as their nominated cause after head of technical Mark Barsby was diagnosed with the condition, which causes swelling of the brain.

Head of human resources Gabriela Hammond said: “The Encephalitis Society has become a very important charity to us here at the VEKA UK Group since Mark was diagnosed.

“Everyone has been so keen to support the work being done for those affected and their families, that we soon exceeded our previous fund-raising record.

“We’ve had all sorts of activities going on throughout the year, from three-day sponsored bike rides to virtual bike rides on an exercise bike in the office. We’ve had bake-offs, cake sales, pin and bracelet sales, wear it blue days, Christmas card donations and a sponsored Christmas jumper day.

“Myself and a number of the team ran the Manchester 10k and there’s even been a company ‘waist watchers.’

“We’ve had a number of generous donations from customers including Modplan and Glazerite, for which we are very grateful. Members of our installer organisation Network VEKA also gave generously at their AGM and business centre event.

“All in all, we’ve raised £14,910.26 and we’re very proud to be handing over our biggest ever charity cheque to the Encephalitis Society for all the valuable work they do.”