Charity raises £250k for people in need in furniture industry

The Furniture Makers’ Company, a City of London livery company, achieved this milestone through a series of fundraising events held across the UK.

The organisation has been supporting the welfare of people working in the UK furnishing industry for more than 120 years.

It helps anyone from the industry, past or present, in need of financial help.

The charity awards grants for essentials such as household bills, disabled adaptations, funeral expenses, and respite or convalescent breaks for those in need.

Jonny Westbrooke, CEO of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “Our role is to sustain a thriving British furnishing industry and a key part of this focuses on supporting those in need from within our ranks and those who have served the sector in the past.

“Whether it’s coping with financial hardship due to the impact of bereavement, relationship or family breakdown, illness, reduced work hours or redundancy, we are here to help.”

Over the past year, the Furniture Makers’ Company and its eight regional committees have organised a variety of charity events.

These ranged from an annual Teesside golf day at Catterick Garrison Golf Club, which raised £17,000, to a Yorkshire curry night in Bradford, a clay pigeon shoot in the South East, a Buckinghamshire charity hoedown, a sponsored walk in the North West, and a tug of war tournament in the Midlands.

Mr Westbrooke added: “As a long-established livery company, we are fortunate to have a loyal and enthusiastic membership who work hard to support our aims.

“Over the last year, with the help of our members, we have been able to support more people in need than ever across our vibrant, creative industry, from aspiring designer-makers still in education, to people working in every aspect of furnishing, and those who are retired.

“We’re really proud to have raised one of the largest amounts in our long history.”