Around 70 pupils, aged 10 to 11, took part in the event, which was designed to raise aspirations and introduce young learners to a wide range of career opportunities at an early stage in their education.

The day began with a powerful keynote speech from Steve Hill, a local deputy head teacher, explorer, ultra-marathon runner and fundraiser. Drawing on his own experiences, Steve delivered an inspiring message centred on perseverance, mindset, and resilience. He shared personal stories of completing marathons despite not initially being a runner, encouraging pupils to believe in themselves and never give up.

Following the introduction presentation, students took part in a series of fast-paced, carousel-style sessions. Working in small groups, they rotated between different employers every five minutes, allowing them to engage with a variety of industries in an interactive and accessible way.

HPP was among the local organisations and companies invited, represented by Kenika Gumbs (Marketing Manager), Dan Mounsey (Marketing & Business Development Director), and Poppy Park. Poppy, a T-Level student from Oldham College, has been completing work experience with us over the past five months and played an active role in supporting the sessions.

The HPP team delivered a lively and competitive Kahoot quiz, which quickly became a highlight of the day. Students tested their knowledge with questions about HPP and its key partners, including EGGER, Kronospan, and Blum. Interactive questions-such as guessing the number of Kronospan factories worldwide-sparked enthusiasm and friendly competition among teams.

The event emphasised the importance of exposing young people to career pathways early, helping to broaden their horizons and build confidence. It also highlighted the value of local businesses giving back to the community by supporting the next generation.

Reflecting on the day, Kenika said: "It was an honour to support Broadfield Primary's first Careers Fair. Inspiring young people at such an early stage and seeing their enthusiasm for the future is something really special to be part of."

With its strong turnout and positive feedback, the inaugural Careers Fair has set a promising precedent for future events at Broadfield Primary School, leaving pupils motivated and excited about the possibilities ahead.

Steve Hill is, above all, a teacher-but not a typical one. As Deputy Head of St. Joseph's R.C. Primary School in Shaw, Oldham, he goes far beyond the classroom, taking on extraordinary challenges each year. Through his efforts, he has raised more than £100,000 for charitable causes, continually pushing his limits to inspire others to do the same.

He is also the founder of the Team Hill Charitable Trust, which supports communities in Oldham and Uganda, helping to improve lives both locally and internationally. In addition, he serves as an ambassador for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. His dedication has been recognised with an MBE for services to education and charity, along with numerous honours including a National Teaching Award, Inspirational Teacher of the Year, National Happiest School Person, and Adventurer of the Year.

Steve lives by the motto, "I can and I will." He firmly believes that with self-belief, hard work, determination, and resilience, anything is possible. Through his presentations and talks, he shares this message, encouraging others to persevere even when faced with challenges.

A truly inspirational figure from Oldham, Steve is not only a teacher but also an adventurer, best-selling author, charity founder, and ambassador. His work continues to make a meaningful difference both within the local community and across the world, making him a powerful role model for young people.

The whole day was intended as a gift from Georgie's mum, for Georgina and her partner, Ben to both do tandem jumps. But unfortunately Ben was unable to take part, so Angie, his mum, stepped up and took his place!

Heading to Skydive Northwest, based at the former RAF Cark airfield near Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria, conditions were unusually perfect for flying and jumping out of planes, so there was no turning back.

Having to wait around in between safety briefings, equipment fitting and a seat on the plane, the two-hour gap wasn't ideal for Georgina who just wanted to get it over and done with: "it was scary, unreal, and terrifying. I was especially nervous about the landing, but in the end it went well."

Georgina and Angie jumped from 14,000 feet, both strapped to a fully qualified instructor, for their 30 seconds of freefall. After that it was a gentle glide back to earth, with plenty of time to enjoy the incredible views across the Lake District.

Georgina summed up the day: "the whole experience felt surreal but I would definitely do it again!"

Designed with homeowners, renovators and trade professionals in mind, the new Palio Rigid range introduces a stronger, more stable core construction, delivering enhanced resilience and long-lasting performance across residential and commercial environments. The collection is now rated for commercial use, offering greater flexibility for a wider range of projects.

Building on the success of previous Palio collections, the Next-Gen Palio Rigid range features an expanded selection of wood and stone-inspired designs, including new plank and tile formats. From rustic oak textures to contemporary limed finishes and elegant stone effects, the collection is crafted to complement diverse interior styles.

At the heart of the innovation is Karndean's upgraded rigid core technology, which improves dimensional stability and helps conceal minor subfloor imperfections. The flooring also incorporates a user-friendly click-locking mechanism, enabling fast, adhesive-free installation without the need for specialist tools-making it an ideal solution for both DIY projects and professional installations.

The new Palio Rigid range also enhances comfort and practicality in everyday living. With integrated acoustic backing, it reduces impact noise transfer by up to 19dB, while its fully waterproof construction ensures suitability for all rooms in the home, including kitchens and bathrooms.

"Today's customers are after flooring that not only looks beautiful but also performs effortlessly in busy, real-world environments," says Kevin Cashmore, our National Sales Manager. "The next-generation Palio Rigid collection has been designed to deliver on all fronts-style, durability and ease of installation-making it a complete flooring solution for modern interiors."

Backed by a 25-year residential and 10-year commercial warranty, the collection provides long-term peace of mind alongside its aesthetic and functional benefits.

The Next-Gen Palio Rigid collection is available here, alongside the Palio Core collection.

Scott Frost and Jason Hilton both signed up for the Samaritans 'Push-Up Challenge' in February. Scott had seen it online and decided to give it a go, quickly joined by fellow Board Production colleague Jason. The challenge? Get fit, have fun and get sponsored - it's that simple! But the potentially life-saving potential further on down the road is considerable - every 10 seconds someone calls Samaritans for help when feeling suicidal or in crisis.

• In 2024, Samaritans volunteers responded to more than 3.3 million calls for help.
• Suicidal feelings were expressed during almost 1 in 4 calls for help where emotional support was provided.
• Every 90 minutes in the UK, someone dies by suicide. But talking saves lives.

The Push-Up Challenge started in 2017 in Perth, Australia, with four friends, some push-ups and a desire to get fit. That small idea has grown into a global movement, inspiring people to get fit, connect, and support mental health.

Globally The Push-Up Challenge has now raised over £34 million for mental health and helped more than 1 million participants improve their physical and mental fitness.

In 2026, the Push-Up Challenge was launched in the UK and New Zealand, uniting more communities across the world to push for better mental health.

Scott and Jason have both raised £265 each from completing 2,000 push-ups in February but are still taking donations for their efforts. You can find more about their progress on their individual pages:

• Scott Frost's Push-Up Challenge Page
• Jason Hilton's Push-Up Challenge Page

Well done to both Scott and Jason for 'pushing' on for charity!

Over 40 HPP staff from across the business, family members and even some four-legged friends turned out to cover the 5 kilometre (3 mile) route in Alexandra Park on the doorstep of our Oldham HQ.

For some, it was the chance to run the route of the 5k Park Run held in the park every Saturday, while for others, the pace was a little more sedate, providing a chance to chat while strolling in the fresh air.

Maggie's Centre in Oldham is part of a UK-wide and overseas network of cancer support hubs, giving cancer patients, their families and friends practical, emotional and social support.

Practical advice includes money worries, nutrition, exercise, wills and legacies, while emotional support includes dealing with a diagnosis, handling treatment, and dealing with stress.

Social support connects patients, friends and family with others in a similar situation, while carers young and old can seek help too.

Marketing Manager, Kenika Gumbs, heaped praise on those who joined in for the fundraising event: "A massive thank you to all involved.

"It was an opportunity for us to come together as a community to support a cause that touches so many lives - as many of us know first-hand."

Kenika adds: "Maggie's Centres provide vital support to individuals and families affected by cancer, offering a place of comfort, understanding, and hope. Knowing this made each step we took that much more meaningful."

This is the third year in a row we have supported Maggie's 5k challenge... and no doubt we'll be back again next year in an attempt to beat our fundraising total this time round!