A SOUTH MARSTON stationery manufacturer won a top award after raising more than £2.1 million for two charities.

The team of 25 staff at Pentel's office and warehouse in South Marston Park have supported Breast Cancer Now since 2006 and Prostate Cancer UK since 2009 by selling more than nine million special edition EnerGel pens.

For every pen sold, whether they're pink-barrelled for breast cancer or blue and white for prostate cancer, the company donates 25p to the respective charities,

The office supplies industry's trade association The BOSS Federation honoured the business with a Fundraising Hero award in recognition of its efforts over the last 14 years.

Pentel marketing manager Wendy Vickery said: “The fact that our charity partnerships continue to endure 14 years since the first agreement was signed – and especially in such a challenging year as this - is testament to the passion, determination and persistence of the entire Pentel team.

"Without their tremendous efforts we wouldn’t be talking about the remarkable success our partnerships continue to deliver, making a difference to the lives of so many people in the UK and Ireland."

Pentel staff have taken part in regular fundraising days by wearing pink and having a sponsored head shave for Breast Cancer Now and growing a moustache in 'Movember to benefit Prostate Cancer UK.

Donations to each charity currently stand at more than £1.48 million for the former and £631,000 for the latter. If the 9.2 million pens sold to date were placed end to end, they would make five transatlantic crossings.

BCN chief executive Baroness Delyth Morgan said, “We are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with Pentel, and are so grateful for the dedicated and unwavering support of Pentel’s staff and customers over the last 14 years.

"The partnership has raised an incredible £1.48 million to date, which has had a huge impact on our vital work for people affected by breast cancer, and will help us continue to make world-class breast cancer research and life-changing care happen.

“The pandemic represents an unprecedented situation for all of us, but it has been an extremely uncertain time for those affected by breast cancer.

"The pandemic has paused our research, community support services and much of our fundraising.

"Now more than ever, Breast Cancer Now are immensely thankful for the support of Pentel, who share our determination and commitment to providing support for today and hope for the future for everyone affected by breast cancer.”

Director of fundraising for Prostate Cancer Now Tracey Pritchard said: “It is with the support of long-term partners such as Pentel and their customers that Prostate Cancer UK can turn its ambitions into a reality.

"Pentel has raised over £631,000 since 2009 for Prostate Cancer UK. This is a phenomenal amount and testament to their hard work and dedication.

“One man dies from prostate cancer every 45 minutes in the UK; it’s the most commonly-diagnosed cancer in the UK. The impact of the coronavirus crisis means our life-saving research is at risk.

"Men have never needed support more than now to protect research into better tests and treatments so we can stop prostate cancer being a killer.

"We are incredibly grateful for all Pentel has achieved to help us with our life-saving research and look forward to continuing our partnership together.”