MKM becomes Official Partner of Tommy Coyle Foundation

MKM Building Supplies (MKM), the UK’s proper independent builder’s merchant, has announced a new partnership with the Tommy Coyle Foundation. 

The Tommy Coyle Foundation – founded by former Commonwealth WBC, IBF International Boxing Champion, Tommy Coyle, is dedicated to enhancing lives through sport and education. As a Foundation Partner, MKM will support various community-driven initiatives, including supplying the building materials for Tommy Coyle’s most ambitious project yet, a new Bransholme community gym in Hull. The facility will serve as a hub for young people up to the age of 17, offering a safe space to engage in sports and educational activities, furthering The Foundation’s mission to improve minds and change lives through sport.

The partnership will also see MKM sponsoring Tommy Coyle’s annual Free School Uniform Project and Christmas Toy Giveaway. Programmes that provide essential support to struggling families in East Yorkshire by distributing thousands of free school uniforms and hundreds of toys to those in need.

MKM’s Central Support is based in Stoneferry, Hull, making this partnership a local endeavour close to the heart of the company.

“Hull is where MKM was born and where many of our team members and customers live. We are deeply committed to making a positive difference in our community,” said Rachel Constable, Head of ESG at MKM.

The partnership will also bring significant benefits to MKM employees, with The Tommy Coyle Foundation providing access to their state-of-the-art fitness app, Coyle Health, to MKM employees nationally. The app includes healthy recipe ideas, mental health wellness tips, the opportunity for employees to take each other on in fitness challenges and tailored content such as pre-work stretching routines.

 “Our ambition as a business is always to support our team to be safe and healthy,” added Rachel. 

MKM has a longstanding tradition of community involvement, with Founder David Kilburn awarded a CBE for his remarkable contributions to the construction industry and charitable work. More recently, MKM CEO Kate Tinsley received an OBE for her outstanding services to the construction sector and commitment to promoting diversity. Under their leadership, MKM has grown to 129 branches nationwide, with Branch Directors having full autonomy to support local community projects.

Tommy Coyle, Founder of the Tommy Coyle Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: 

“I am delighted and proud to partner with MKM. It’s a brand I admire greatly. I hope one day I can emulate its success and continue do good where I can. This partnership will allow the Foundation to support so many families in Hull and help us to continue engaging and educating in our communities whilst raising their aspirations and showing them the way.”

Rachel Constable, Head of ESG at MKM, added: 

“We are excited to partner with the Tommy Coyle Foundation. We’ve got 13 MKM branches in Yorkshire alone, and this collaboration allows us to further contribute to our local community in a meaningful way while also enhancing the wellbeing of our employees. 

The Free School Uniform Project will take place at the Tommy Coyle Academy at North Point Shopping Centre, on Wednesday 21 August at 11am. The new Bransholme gym will open its doors early September.