Mica held its annual conference on September 23-25, 2017, of which a full exclusive report will be provided for the next issue of DIY Week. The Co-operative group of independent retailers has announced exclusively to DIY Week that this year’s Gala Dinner has raised a record figure for its charity partner the Rainy Day Trust.

The trust supports those in the hardware industry who have fallen on hard times, providing grants; free legal advice, debt advice and telephone counseling; and through a partnership with Shelter, free housing advice.

The total raised on the night was £917 plus gift aid;

 the final total is expected to exceed £1100 pounds. This is the largest sum raised at the annual Mica Dinner for the trust.

“This is a fantastic donation to a very deserving cause,” said CEO Michael Ball. “Many thanks to everyone attending for digging deep and to Stax, Murpak, Akzo Nobel, Crown, Ronseal, Newsome Tools and Mica members for all providing additional prizes to make it a real wow prize table.”

The top prize of a weekend hotel break with dinner for two sponsored by Mica & Murpak, was won by David Hidgcock of David Neill Mica Home & DIY. Daughter-in-law Becki Hidgcock won the giant Dulux dog, and coincidentally, Paul Thornell of RKW seated at the same table won the widescreen TV provided by Stax Trade Centres.