Coming together when it really matters

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment

We talk a lot about the people in this industry, about how lovely and inclusive it is, about the positive relationships and friendships that are formed over the trade counter and in the yard, or via Teams and text message, and, more often, over dinner, or beers, or golf or the rugby. And about how those relationships and this industry can pull together when it really matters.

This is the third September when you really do understand what this means.

Just over three years ago, sitting in an American-themed burger restaurant in Edinburgh, I got a phone call that knocked me clean off my axis.  The sort of phone call you wish you never had to pick up or to make.

Most of you know what that phone call was about. The world seemed a little darker from that day on, our loved ones a little more precious, and our day-to-day worries and stresses a lot less important.

However, out of those dark times, something rather wonderful emerged. This sector came together, to create, in memory of one of its own, a legacy, a tribute, a future career path for those who might not otherwise have had one in this sector.

The Maddie Rose Campaign is offering real, practical help to youngsters looking for career paths. It offers real, practical help to companies wanting to attract new, young blood into the industry. It helps to link up the potential workers, with the potential employees.

Since the campaign’s launch, over £155,000 has been raised to help fund this shining of the spotlight on the potential careers, the diverse, interesting rage of career possibilities across the building materials sector.

Yellow was Maddie’s favourite colour, which is why we used it for the Campaign’s logo and website. BMJ’s September issue used those colours to show our support, and, to celebrate Maddie’s Day this Friday, there are a massive range of things going on, across the sector: human monopoly, duck races, yellow-themed golf-days, and some launches of rather special product lines – things are going yellow that you never knew could be.

So, get your yellow on. Dig out your best yellow ties (are they still a thing?), polo shirts, shirts, cufflinks, hats, t-shirts and don them on Friday.  Take pictures, lots of pictures, of you in all your yellow glory and post them EVERYWHERE.  Use the hashtag #maddiesday so we can find them. We want to flood social media, once again, with images of yellow, the colour of happiness, or sunshine, of hope, of daffodils, yellow roses and, yes, the porn-star martini.

This Campaign exists because the industry wanted to support Maddie’s family, and honour her commitment to the industry by creating a lasting legacy. Wear your yellow heart on your sleeve on Friday. For Maddie, with love.