Electrical distributor CEF has launched a new fundraiser inspired by the 2003 comedy film Calendar Girls to raise money for the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC)
The calendar uses humour and familiar industry references in a bid to help make mental health easier to talk about across the electrical trade.
The idea was born in CEF’s Bournemouth region, where the team was looking for its next fundraising initiative after previously taking on the Three Peaks challenge and travelling 1,600 miles between branches by foot and bike.
Paul Church, Director of Operations at CEF, was the initial driving force behind the idea. He says, “We always try to do something as a region to raise money for charity, and in the past we’ve taken on some pretty big physical challenges. This time we spent hours trying to think of something different.
“Then, at home, I was talking to my wife, Fi, about Calendar Girls, and it sparked the idea. From there, it just grew. Our branches, senior leadership team and even suppliers wanted to be part of it and have been incredibly generous.”
CEF charity calendar available from nationwide branches
All sales revenue from the calendar will go directly to the EIC, which provides practical, financial and wellbeing support to people across the electrical and energy industry.
Paul continues, “The EIC felt like the right charity because it is so close to all of us. I know people personally who have turned to it for help. If we can have some fun with the calendar, raise money and also get somebody to check in on a mate or start a conversation they might otherwise have avoided, then it has done something worthwhile.”
The EIC charity calendar launched on 14 October and is available from CEF branches, with all sales revenue going directly to the Electrical Industries Charity.
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