One of the best parts of being in the Unhooked team is making your passions part of your job. So, if there’s ever an opportunity to mix supporting our clients with something we love doing outside of work, we jump at the opportunity.
Last week, I got to do just that when our client Jewson, the national builders’ merchant, held its Monster Blast – a T20 cricket tournament in aid of construction charity Band of Builders, which supports tradespeople and their families during times of need.
Jewson Monster Blast: Charity event for Band of Builders
The Monster Blast saw six teams of players from Jewson’s business units based around the UK come together and fight it out to be Grand Final winners. As well as Jewson colleagues, the mixed-sex teams were also made up of staff from some of Jewson’s key suppliers and players from Tickhill Cricket Club in Doncaster, where the tournament was held.
Alongside the cricket, there were football, darts and table tennis tournaments taking place, as well as live entertainment and food and drink stalls. Around the ground, some of Jewson’s suppliers – including our client Marshalls – had pitched stands to share details of their organisation with spectators. Elsewhere, raffles were held in Jewson branches around the country, offering some great prizes including tickets to the Vitality Blast at Headingly to see the Yorkshire Vikings take on the Birmingham Bears – all in the name of raising funds for Band of Builders.
Media relations support for Jewson's charity event
Ahead of the tournament – the fourth of Jewson’s annual ‘Monster’ events – we’d outreached to journalists from key trade and regional publications, inviting them to come along and help spread the word about the success of the event. So, as well as taking in all the fun of the day, we were on hand to facilitate interviews and photography which will soon lead to coverage in some of our Tier 1 channels. We also crafted our own write up and shared it with the media that couldn’t make it along on the day.
Also there on the day was our partner agency, Electric House, who captured some great video content and interviews to share across Jewson's social media channels.
Most importantly for us, the event was an opportunity to delve into the brilliant fundraising activities Jewson does to support the wider industry. In the three years since Jewson made Band of Builders its official charity partner, it has raised more than £200,000 for the cause. That’s vital funds to help tradespeople who might be suffering with poor mental health, have experienced a physical injury or are just in need of a listening ear. The Monster events so far have included marathons, triathlons and a 130 mile walk, and next year’s event will be decided soon.
There aren’t many weekends in the summer when you won’t see some of the Unhooked team at their local cricket club, whether it’s taking our little ones to training or soaking up the sun during a senior’s match. So, this felt like the perfect opportunity to blend our love for construction PR and building materials PR with a sport some of us enjoy away from work. The sun was shining, the atmosphere was electric, and we’ll achieve some great results for our client. What could be better?