Buying group Cardgains, sponsors of The Gift Awards 2024 Best Home Fragrance category, is setting out to prove It’s Not Grim Up North, choosing it as the title for this year’s charity challenge in Sheffield on 27 June as part of the celebrations for the buying group’s 35th anniversary.
Managing director Penny Shaw is hoping to raise £35,000 for mental health charity Mind – and has suggested walkers can complete the 17½-mile walk twice to make it 35 miles to match! Everyone across the gifts and greeting card industry is invited – you don’t have to be a retail or supplier member of the buying group.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming both new and old walkers this year,” enthused Penny, “but people need to register quickly, preferably by 31 March, in case we have to limit our numbers!” Visit www.cardgains.co.uk.
It’s Not Grim Up North follows the Sheffield Round Walk 15-mile loop that connects the steel city’s centre with its surrounding countryside.
Meanwhile, Cardgains recently announced several new gift supplier members as well as a roll-out of over 40 special promotions in the first half of the year, a new website and increased social media activity.
“Over the last 12 months we have introduced 25 new suppliers including gift companies such as Lily-Flame, Something Different, Letterbox Love, Blade and Rose and The Gifted Stationery Company,” confirmed Penny. “Many of the promotions are exclusive to Cardgains and give retailers the chance to trial new products and suppliers at a really keen cost. The roster of suppliers is growing all the time, adding value to the portfolio and a point of difference.”
Top: Last year’s Cardgains charity challenge saw 50 walkers, including Creative Sparrow’s Hannah Curtiss, Tony Cottrell (centre) from Words ’N’ Wishes, and Nigel Quiney’s Carl Pledger, trek around London.
