HCN@HBT Bulletin Issue 01 Ray Quek Hardware Channel News RQ Consulting RQC

McGrath Sponsorship A huge thank you to the 86 supporting stores With many fundraising events held throughout October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we have not only raised thousands of dollars but awareness too. Katanning H <strong>Hardware</strong> was one of the fi rst stores to add a little pink to their signage and held a 10th birthday celebration that doubled as a fundraising event. Ash Severin said, “The weather wasn’t kind to us on the big day. We actually had thunderstorms with 80km winds and heavy rain, but over 300 people still showed up and supported us and the McGrath Foundation.” Of the pink signage, customers were initially shocked and curious about the pink paint and figured someone had lost a bet. A regular customer came in and said: “What the heck were you thinking!” Once it was clear that it was in support of a worthy cause, Bolts-R-Us Katanning H <strong>Hardware</strong> customers got on board. “One company purchased a whole stack of pink hard hats and gave them to tradies that forgot their company issued hat.” “We organised a raffle with a $5,000 prize pool, and so far we’ve raised $4,000. Most goods were donated by suppliers and local businesses; it’s a really nice community feelgood.” Ash concluded. Peter Claudius from Bolts-R-Us in Geraldton WA had a write up in the Geraldton Guardian after he decided to paint his tool shop pink. “Foot traffi c has increased as well as customers spending more time in store. It’s generated a lot of curiosity and interest,” Peter said. In the month of October, Express Timber Solutions (ETS) held a BBQ breakfast every Monday. Sue Wilcockson from ETS said, “We were the talk of the town! We’ve had two of our best months since we opened 10 years ago and I do believe this fundraiser had an incredible impact.” In addition to the weekly BBQ, the store ran a raffl e throughout October to which Paslode donated a nail gun; RW Griffin Constructions – one of ETS’s builders – contributed a football jersey; and Sue supplied seven more products to the prize pool. Getting in on the action was Smith & Neal Painting & Decorating. Sue thought that they were totally remarkable as the company Express Timber Solutions came and painted the store, then painted it back again to its original colour in November. “They donated their time and Dulux donated the paint. We raised $2,500 in the month of October!” In Ayr QLD, Greens Water Group took an alternative approach. With more farmers than tradies, they proposed a slight change to existing artwork and had their stubby holders and posters made to match. They held a farmer’s wives morning tea followed by a farmers’ BBQ lunch later that day. Karen from the group did an amazing job in organising the event and raising over $1,700 on the day. The Sheffi eld Shed in Tasmania was one of the fi rst stores to put their hand up to participate. Their long term customer Sonya Hopson is a breast cancer survivor. Sonya was lucky enough to have the support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse during her treatment. She recently popped into The Sheffi eld Shed to say hello and was blown away by the support from the store. Buy Pink and proudly suppor the McGrath Foundation to place more breast care nurses into communities like ours. Leanne Tamas with Sonya Hopson breast cancer survivor Pipelined for 2<strong>01</strong>7 We look to promote two main fundraising events in the coming year, namely Mother’s Day; and Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Stubby holders will be reordered. $1 donation stickers will still be available. New stores welcome to come on board too! In October, we are hoping to arrange special guest appearance in one lucky pink store with plenty of media coverage. Thumbs up to Garlicks H <strong>Hardware</strong> with their Pink Hoses 4 HBT Group <strong>Bulletin</strong> | <strong>Issue</strong> 1 December 2<strong>01</strong>6 | hbt.net.au 5