U ‘n’ I Care
Sustainability & Community
Unique Plumbing Supplies and Bathrooms by Unique are pledging to give a minimum of 5% from their net profits to charity and local causes for this and future financial years.
Nick Khaira, MD at Unique Plumbing Supplies explains why the company has committed to this initiative.
“As a company, we have always tried to support charities as much as we can. Over the years we have held golf days in support of The Piam Brown Ward, a children’s ward in Southampton General Hospital that primarily specialises in treating kids with cancer, but just as importantly it provides facilities for the families to be around the ward with kitchen and even sleeping arrangements catered for.”
We have supported local campaigns as well, but there was no clear direction on how much we were giving, it was a little bit ad-hoc. So, we decided to set a mark in the sand and said “this is what we will give.”
“All companies need to make a profit of course, but it is profit and so it’s more than reasonable to expect companies that do well to give a little bit back.”
“I would call on other companies be much more transparent about what they give back to the local communities and the wider charities.”
“That is why we are giving away 5% before taxation from our profits, to charities like the Piam Brown Ward and The Knights Foundation, whilst also trying to help local groups that are supporting young people.”
“Groups such as The Point Youth Theatre where we support their bursary fund and Hedge End Rangers FC by buying their away kit for the forthcoming season.
We are also currently supporting a local social aid group that has started a food club whereby the local community most in need can buy food and household essentials at a fraction of their cost.”
“Later this year we have bought a table or two at a charity dinner dance for Abby’s Heroes, a Southampton charity that supports young people and their families going through the ordeal of suffering from cancer.”
Now, more than ever, charities are feeling the pinch, so now, more than ever, those who have done well need to give a little back to those that need it more.
Take a look below at some of the things we have done so far, and some of the organisations we advocate.
The generous support of our customers, suppliers and friends helps make life a little better for babies, kids and young people at Southampton General’s cancer ward.
We have a Piam Brown Children’s Cancer Ward collection box on every counter in every branch. Our generous customers fill these up multiple times a year.
The Special Care Babies Unit at Winchester Royal County Hospital provide care for babies that are born prematurely like one of our directors eldest daughter was back in 2006, weighing in at only 3 pounds 3 ounces! The work they do is fantastic!
The Knights Foundation provide support and gifts to disabled children, deprived children, seriously ill children and their families.
We welcomed Unique Plumbing Supplies on board as a Patron of The Foundation.
Their support of monthly contributions and donations that are raised from events they have organised, such as their corporate golf day where their customers purchase tickets for a raffle and bid on Auctioned items.
The monies given to us from these events are substantial and very generous. Please see our website to see how the donations are spent.
Unique Plumbing Supplies have supported the Teddy Bear appeal with large donations. This helps families with special needs have a holiday in the Knight’s Foundation Lodge, which is based in New Milton, near Lymington. Because of their support, 3 families have breaks booked in the lodge already.
If 7 people each donated £10 per month, every year a family in need would be able to have a weeks break in the lodge. We need more people to give back to our local community and help support these families.
Helping the Homeless.
Giving “care packages” to the homeless at Christmas time. Organised and carried out by one of our directors, Sam Khaira with the help of two of her friends.
The care packages consisted of a toiletry pack and a poncho, gloves, hat and scarf pack. Along with sandwiches and kind donations of sleeping bags, blankets, biscuits, mince pies and chocolate that were received from friends and customers of our company.
Some of the care packages ready to go…
Supporting our local children’s development and wellbeing.
“Seeing the young people at The Point perform and, more importantly, have fun with their friends is something special and I feel privileged to be involved“
Nick Khaira
Managing Director.
Utilising renewable energy solutions wherever we can to reduce our carbon footprint and climatical impact.
Our aim is to try and replace our diesel van’s with electric versions when their capabilities allow us to.
Photovoltaic solar panels are installed on the roof and help to power our branch in Eastleigh.
We have a compactor for compacting all of our cardboard for recycling.
Our Manging Director’s company car is all electric.
All of our plastic recyclable waste is segregated & bagged up for recycling.
We try and reuse plastic bags and cardboard boxes for our deliveries.
Utilising recycled office furniture.
We purchase a large amount of our office furniture from Recycled Office Solutions in Portchester near Portsmouth. ROS has an ethos of supporting communities, they donate a lot to support Abby’s Heroes which is a local charity for children who have sadly been diagnosed with Cancer.
They also ship office Furniture to a West African village called “Tingatinga”. They supported them with basic infrastructure development and costs towards the employment of a community school teacher.
A large portion of redundant furniture cannot be resold in the UK. As a result, rather than this furniture culminating in landfill sites, they ship it out to Tanzania.
Advocating Ethical Agenda’s
We support the “Global Goals” agenda for sustainable development working towards a better future for everyone.
We support and are an active member of the “Living Wage” initiative.
