Pentel are delighted to have been awarded the prestigious Fundraising Hero – Company at the BOSS Industry Recognition awards 2020.
BOSS judges recognised the company’s tremendous efforts raising over £2.1 million for Breast Cancer Now, the research and care charity, and Prostate Cancer UK over the last 14 years, through sales of their special edition pens.
“The majority of the money raised has been through sales of EnerGel Xm Retractable”, says Pentel Marketing Manager Wendy Vickery. “With the enthusiasm of our customers and the support of the public, we’ve sold more than nine million pens to raise this sum for the two charities.”
“We began with a ballpoint pen called LineStyle, but soon launched our special edition EnerGel pens, which have proved enduringly successful. To complement the respective charities’ brand colours, we created a pink-barrelled version of EnerGel Xm Retractable to support Breast Cancer Now and a white and blue-barrelled version for Prostate Cancer UK. For every special edition version of these pens we sell Pentel donate £0.25 to the charities.”
Pentel staff have also entered the fundraising spirit, participating over the years in ‘wear it pink’ day activity that has included a sponsored head shave for Breast Cancer Now and Movember ‘mo-growing’ to benefit Prostate Cancer UK.
The company’s commitment to support the two charities remains steadfast. Donations to date to each charity currently stand at more than £1.48 million for Breast Cancer Now and £631,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. To put it in perspective, if the 9.2 million pens sold to date were placed end to end, they would make five transatlantic crossings.
Wendy Vickery says, “We are proud and honoured to have received this recognition from the BOSS judges. The fact that our charity partnerships continue to endure 14 years since the first agreement was signed – and especially in such a challenging year as this – is testament to the passion, determination and persistence of the entire Pentel team. Their tremendous efforts and the vision of our customers enable us to continue our partnerships and raise even more money to help make a difference to the lives of so many people in the UK and Ireland.”
Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Now, said, “We are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with Pentel, and are so grateful for the dedicated and unwavering support of Pentel’s staff and customers over the last 14 years. The partnership has raised an incredible £1.48 million to date, which has had a huge impact on our vital work for people affected by breast cancer, and will help us continue to make world-class breast cancer research and life-changing care happen.
Tracey Pritchard, Director of Fundraising & Supporter Engagement, Prostate Cancer UK, says: “It is with the support of long-term partners such as Pentel and their customers, that Prostate Cancer UK can turn its ambitions into a reality. Pentel has raised over £631,000 since 2009 for Prostate Cancer UK. This is a phenomenal amount and testament to their hard work and dedication.”
Top: Pentel’s Special Edition EnerGel Xm retractable pens in support of Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK
