Ridgeons teams up with local Rotary clubs

Ridgeons, the independent builders merchant in the East of England, is supporting local community projects with a new Rotary club discount scheme.

The discount cards, exclusive to district 1080 Rotary club members in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire provide special offers on building materials for personal use, club projects and charity work such as community centre renovations, The Smile Café in Saxmundham and Christmas Lights in Norwich.

Hugh Guntrip, head of region for Ridgeons, presented the idea at the Rotary district conference in Ipswich to over 57 clubs across the region. Hugh said; “The members’ cards originated from discussions with Rotary District Governor Nick Corke and our desire to work together to help each other.

“The scheme is a great example of how working with the community can benefit all involved. At Ridgeons we benefit from a closer link to the over 2000 Rotary members across the district and the Rotary club benefit from discounted materials for the fantastic community work that they do. We have also pledged to donate 2% from all members’ card sales back to the Rotary club at the end of the year, to help further boost funds for the good causes they support.

“Being part of the local community is hugely important to Ridgeons as we are a business based on people, we take pride in our East Anglian roots and are passionate about giving back. The partnership also makes business-sense for Ridgeons. The cards have helped to increase local awareness and widen our customer base - there have been a number of sales across the district already and staff have commented on the positive relationship with the organisation.”

District Governor Nick Corke, said: “It is fantastic to see a major local company exercise its corporate social responsibility in such a positive way. It is a win, win opportunity for both organisations. I anticipate that this will be just the first of many local businesses linking up with Rotary in this area. Rotary is one of the world’s largest service organisation and this discount card from Ridgeons is a prime example of how a local company can support the work that we are doing in the communities, in which they operate.”

Established in 1911, the Ridgeons Group has 26 builders’ merchant sites across the East of England, supplying building materials, tools, accessories, kitchens and heating and plumbing products. In addition to a purpose built 12 acre timber processing site in Herringswell and two Anglia Tool Centre stores in Bury St Edmunds and Norwich.

For more information about Ridgeons visit www.ridgeons.co.uk