Trade body calls on building materials sector in Oldham to support earthquake campaign

John Newcomb, CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation

A trade body that operates across Oldham is calling on its membership and the wider construction community to support a fundraising drive to help the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

The Builders Merchants Federation, which has 870 merchant and supplier companies across the UK, including sites in Oldham, has launched a JustGiving page to raise funds to go towards medical aid, emergency shelter, food and clean water.

It has joined forces with event management company First Event to create the campaign.

The move comes as both companies work to bring the BMF’s All Industry Conference to Istanbul later this year.

BMF and First Event’s Just Giving page can be found by clicking here

John Newcomb, CEO of the BMF, said: “This year, alongside First Event, the BMF All Industry Conference 2023 is taking place in Istanbul.

“Whilst Istanbul is far away from the immediate damage, our hearts go out to out to Southern Turkey and North-West Syria and anyone who has suffered either directly or indirectly as a result of the earthquake.

“We are calling on our members and their customers in Oldham to raise vital funds for the people of Turkey and Syria.

“The BMF’s members, who employ over 230,000 people in the building materials industry, are noted for their generosity in supporting charity causes.

“They raised more than £45,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s work in Ukraine last year.

“The BMF has also supported partner charities including Band of Builders, Teenage Cancer Trust, Variety-the Children’s charity, Mental Health UK and the Samaritans, raising almost £200,000 in the last five years.”

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