As Mad March Million enters its final days, the Rainy Day Trust's sector-wide movement challenge has well and truly delivered on its ambition, with over 1 million collective steps logged by companies from across the home improvement, DIY and housewares sector.
The campaign, delivered in partnership with Wellbeing People, invited teams of 8–10 people to commit to just 10 minutes of movement a day throughout March, the equivalent of 1% of their wakeful day. With just days remaining, the response has been nothing short of remarkable.
BHETA member companies have been amongst those taking part and the association itself has led by example throughout. A particular word of thanks goes to Natalia Ciecierska and Steve Edwards at BHETA, who have been champions of the campaign from the very beginning, getting behind it wholeheartedly and helping to bring the wider membership along with them.
The participant stories paint a vivid picture of what happens when an industry gives its people permission to prioritise themselves. One participant described pausing on a family walk to watch their daughter stop and look at flowers: "It reminds me to pause and be present, rather than always thinking about what comes next." Another wrote simply: "Better sleep, feel energy." A third took a call outside, roaming around the garden, and found it gave them "a small energy boost I definitely needed that afternoon."
The variety of activities has been part of the charm, walks in the drizzling rain, lunchtime river strolls in the sunshine, gym sessions, hula hooping, family park visits with grandchildren and, memorably, an Eiffel Tower stair climb for a mum and her son on a Paris weekend away.
What brings them together is not the activity itself, but what it represents: a sector choosing to take wellbeing seriously, together.
Anna Skeats, CEO of the Rainy Day Trust, said: "We set out to show that this industry could punch above its weight on wellbeing, and it has done exactly that. Watching the camaraderie unfold across teams and companies this month has been one of the highlights of my time at the Trust. Mad March Million has always been about more than steps. It's about culture, connection, and making sure people across our sector know they are valued."
Funds raised through the campaign support the Rainy Day Trust's frontline work helping home improvement industry workers navigate crisis, from financial hardship to mental health challenges and beyond.
There are still a few days left - and every step, every share and every donation still counts. To sponsor a team or find out more HERE
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The Rainy Day Trust has supported home improvement sector colleagues for 184 years.
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