​Colleagues at London’s leading painting and decorating specialist Leyland SDM have kickstarted a pre-Christmas fundraising push by completing a 5km run for charity.

The 24-strong Leyland SDM team completed the RunThrough Hyde Park 5km to raise more than £3,500 for the company’s charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support.

Leyland SDM has raised more than £120,000 for Macmillan in three years as a charity partner and that impressive total is set to be bolstered further before the end of 2022.

Throughout November, customers visiting any of Leyland SDM’s 32 stores will be given the chance to increase the value of their shopping bill by a donation of their choice which will go direct to Macmillan, the UK’s leading cancer support charity with an ambition to be there for everyone from the moment they are diagnosed.

Many of the Leyland SDM colleagues who took part in the RunThrough Hyde Park 5km were not regular runners and followed the Couch to 5K programme designed by the NHS to get beginners up to speed and developing healthy habits.

Jonathan Jennings, CEO of Leyland SDM, said: “I am very proud of all colleagues who took part in the event and particularly those who were not runners until now.

“We all achieved a massive goal in a short period of time and I am sure that the knowledge of all the great work that Macmillan does was a great motivator.

“We are delighted to have raised well over £3,000 for Macmillan and are now looking for the next challenge.”

In this month’s fundraising push, charity t-shirts will also available to purchase in stores, with proceeds also being donated to Macmillan.

Jonathan added: “Giving back to our local communities is one of our key business objectives so we are delighted to have built a long-standing partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support.

“Unfortunately, most people will have been closely connected to someone who has battled cancer at some stage in their life so it’s a charity close to the hearts of our colleagues and customers.

“It’s vital to do what we can to give backing to the outstanding work of Macmillan Cancer Support and we are looking forward to ending the year with a flourish when it comes to fundraising.”

People can still support Team Leyland by visiting:https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leyland-sdm-1?utm_term=5ZzDM9xy4

Leyland SDM is a painting, decorating and DIY specialist for both trade and retail customers.  It stocks a comprehensive range of thousands of products across all departments, including paint and decorating essentials, building materials, electrical fittings, tools, plumbing equipment, ironmongery and much more, all under one roof.

Some of the biggest and best-known trade and DIY brands are available at Leyland SDM, including Dulux Trade, Farrow & Ball, Johnstone's Paint, Makita, DEWALT, Stanley and Purdy.