Nottingham Packaging Firm Joins Forces With Pro-Pak Foods

A Nottingham based packaging giant has joined forces with industry leaders to put its weight behind a fundraising campaign for a local cancer care charity.

The Wilkins Group based in Colwick, sprang into action when it heard that a team member from one of its customers had been diagnosed with throat cancer, and was being supported by Maggie's.

Now the family-run firm which makes food packaging for many of the leading food producers in the UK, is donating funds from the sales of some selected ready meals, as part of a £10,000 fundraising challenge.

The fundraising drive came after Pro-Pak Foods new product development manager received a shock cancer diagnosis in 2023.

The news prompted suppliers, partners, colleagues, and friends to rally round in order to raise money for the centre at Maggie's which offered support throughout this diagnosis and subsequent care. The fundraising effort has been headed up by his colleague, Giles Leverton.

Now, The Wilkins Group has collaborated with Pro-Pak Foods and fellow packaging partners Sheard Packaging and Faerch, in donating 10p from every purchase of its Pro-Cook range to the fundraising total. The products, which are sold through B&M and some smaller retailers, are on sale until Christmas.

Justin Wilkins, joint managing director at The Wilkins Group, said:

“When we heard about this cancer diagnosis and fundraising, we wanted to help in any way we could. Cancer has touched so many lives and the support that charities such as Maggie’s gives to sufferers and their families is tremendous.”

Pro-Pak Foods cooks over 150,000 freshly produced ready meals a day from its base in Malton, North Yorkshire. The Wilkins Group has been producing packaging for the firm for over 10-years.

Giles Leverton, purchasing and new business development manager at Pro-Pak Foods, hopes the additional support from its packaging partners will help smash their £10,000 fundraising goal.

The fundraising duo have already raised an incredible £4,690 through a series of events including Giles’s entry into the Great North Run. He said:

“We can’t thank our packaging partners enough for their support. It was a tremendous shock when our friend and colleague was diagnosed with throat cancer, and it was also a great loss to the business while treatment was being undertaken."

“I don’t think we truly understand the physical and physiological trauma patients go through before, during and after cancer treatment, but I am more aware now than I have ever been.”

Across the UK, Maggie’s estimates that there are currently more than three million people living with cancer. They expect this figure to rise to 5.3 million by 2040.

In 2023, Maggie’s supported 311,036 visits by people with cancer and their loved ones.

The not-for-profit organisation, founded by Maggie Keswick Jencks, initially opened in Edinburgh in 1996. It now provides free, expert care and patient support across the UK, online and overseas. In 2011, Maggie’s Nottingham opened on the City Hospital campus.

Justin Wilkins said:

“Maggie’s is such a worthwhile organisation. We are so proud to be supporting Pro-Pak in their charity mission.”