One of the world's leading industrial supply companies will be supporting a Black Country Hospice in 2018.

The Wednesdbury branch of MSC Industrial Direct Co. have been fundraising for Mary Stevens Hospice for the final few months of 2017, and will continue their relationship with the Hagley Road Hospice by naming them as their charity of the year for 2018.

Among the planned activities are awareness days, individual fundraising challenges taken on by members of staff at MSC and volunteering visits by employees to the Hospice, to help with the day-to-day running of the Hospice and delivery of the charity's events calendar.

First on the agenda in 2018, however, is the Hospice's "Christmas Treecycle", which will see MSC staff members travelling around the Black Country collecting Christmas trees to be recycled, in exchange for a donation to the Hospice.

As well as a van and staff involvement, MSC will also be providing top quality gardening gloves and saws for Hospice volunteers who are also collecting trees throughout the first weekend of January.

MSC handed over a cheque for more than £1000 to Hospice fundraisers on Thursday 14th December, raised through collections in the office and in-house fundraising activities. Laura Millard, Corporate Engagement Officer, Mary Stevens Hospice Group said:

“The reality is that our care simply isn't possible without the support of our business community, and to have a company as respected and influential as MSC Direct committing to helping local families really is just the most amazing way to start 2018.

“They've done fantastically well to raise more than £1000 in such a short space of time already, and both the money and awareness they're helping to raise will make the most incredible difference to families here at the Hospice.

“We're delighted to be working closely with them and feel very privileged that this fantastic relationship will continue next year.”

Penny Davies, Human Resource Director, MSC Direct, added:

“Having Mary Stevens Hospice as our Charity of the Year is a great pleasure and honour for MSC. As a business we strive to transform how our customer’s businesses operate through being personally invested and offering support wherever possible.

“That is why working in partnership with Mary Stevens Hospice resonates so much for the associates of MSC, as we see in them their drive and commitment to helping patients and families. MSC will do anything we can to raise awareness and funds for such an important and instrumental support service in our society."