CDA Blog > Appliance MD Keeps His Cool Raising Thousands for Nottingham Charities

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Appliance MD Keeps His Cool Raising Thousands for Nottingham Charities

CDA’s Managing Director, Chris Ward, proved that staying cool under pressure isn’t just for kitchen appliances. Last month, Chris successfully completed the Robin Hood Half Marathon dressed as a fridge, raising an impressive £1,500 for Nottingham-based suicide prevention charities Harmless and The Tomorrow Project. CDA proudly matched his total, bringing the final donation to £3,000 in support of these vital local organisations.

Running for a cause close to home

Taking on the 13.1-mile challenge in a custom-made fridge costume inspired by one of CDA’s own appliances, Chris quickly became a crowd favourite. Spectators along the route cheered on the “running refrigerator,” creating an atmosphere full of smiles, laughter, and community spirit.

“It was an unforgettable day,” said Chris. “Running 13 miles in a fridge costume certainly wasn’t easy, but the support from the crowd, my colleagues and everyone who donated kept me going. Knowing that the money raised will help save lives made every step worthwhile.”

Chris added that the cause is deeply personal:

“Suicide prevention is very close to my heart. I wanted to do something that could help others who might be struggling. I’m proud that together we’ve raised awareness and vital funds for two organisations doing life-changing work in our community.”

Supporting Harmless and The Tomorrow Project

Based in Nottingham, Harmless and its sister service The Tomorrow Project provide life-saving self-harm and suicide prevention support across the East Midlands. Their work includes therapy, crisis intervention, bereavement support and training for individuals, families and professionals. Leanne Moulton, Chief Academy Officer for both charities, expressed gratitude for the creative fundraising effort:

“A heartfelt thank you to Chris for taking on such a unique and demanding challenge. His creativity, commitment, and determination perfectly reflect the values we champion — compassion, community, and courage. Every donation, every conversation sparked by his efforts, brings us closer to a world where hope and recovery can truly be found.”

To learn more about these organisations or to make a donation, visit www.harmless.org.uk or www.tomorrowproject.org.uk.

CDA: A local brand with Ethical Values

Based in Langar, Nottinghamshire, CDA is a leading UK kitchen appliance brand and part of the Amica Group, one of Europe’s largest home appliance producers. The company offers a full range of built-in and freestanding appliances, including ovens, hobs, fridges and dishwashers, designed for performance, style and durability. CDA recently became the first kitchen appliance brand to receive Ethical Accreditation from The Good Shopping Guide, recognising its ongoing commitment to responsible business, community engagement and sustainability. CDA is proud to support local causes through fundraising, charity partnerships and mental health awareness initiatives, reinforcing its dedication to making a positive impact beyond the kitchen.

CDA Blog > CDA makes history with Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide

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CDA makes history with Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide

We are proud to announce that CDA has become the very first kitchen appliance brand to achieve Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide.

With a top-ranking Ethical Score of 89, CDA is now listed among the UK’s Top 200 Ethical Businesses, joining sustainability leaders such as Octopus Energy, Neal’s Yard Remedies and Green People.

This achievement is more than an award. It confirms CDA’s position at the forefront of ethical, responsible and sustainable business practices in the home appliance industry.

Recognition from The GOOD Shopping Guide

Kat Alexander, Director of The GOOD Shopping Guide said: “CDA’s Ethical Accreditation is powerful verification for today’s conscious consumers. This recognition, along with their top-ranking GSG Ethical Score in our tables, reflects not only strong sustainability credentials, but also a clear commitment to transparency and accountability. As the first brand in this sector to attain our independent endorsement, CDA now holds a distinct competitive advantage and raises the bar for ethical standards in the home appliances industry.”

A proud moment for CDA

Chris Ward, our Managing Director, said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised with Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide. This achievement is more than a certification. It reflects our values as a business and the commitment of our people to doing what is right for customers, communities and the planet. At CDA, we have always believed that great design and innovation must go hand in hand with responsibility. To now be ranked amongst the UK’s most ethical companies is a milestone moment that will inspire us to go even further.”

Leading the way in ethical appliances

CDA has secured top positions in four of The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Ratings tables for home appliances. Our product range includes cookers, dishwashers, fridge-freezers, washing machines, coffee machines, hobs, extractors and sinks.

Built on strong foundations

Since 1991, CDA has proudly operated from Nottinghamshire, showcasing British design and local talent for over three decades. We combine functionality with sleek design, backed by in-house customer care, dedicated engineers and a consistently high Trustpilot rating.

Why this matters

The GOOD Shopping Guide recognised CDA’s robust Code of Conduct, fair working conditions across our supply chain, and clean record of responsible production. This proves that ethics and sustainability are not an afterthought at CDA – they are at the heart of everything we do.

Our ethical accreditation certificate



👉 Explore our full Ethical Score on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s website.

This accreditation is a defining moment for CDA. We are proud to set a new standard for our industry and to show that innovation, style and responsibility can go hand in hand.

CDA Blog > CDA Managing Director Runs Nottingham Half Marathon Dressed as a Fridge  

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CDA Managing Director Runs Nottingham Half Marathon Dressed as a Fridge  

On Sunday 28 September, CDA Managing Director Chris Ward will take on the Nottingham Half Marathon with a unique twist: he will be running the full 13.1 miles dressed as a fridge.

This unusual challenge is more than just a headline-grabber. Chris is running to raise funds for Harmless and its sister service, The Tomorrow Project, two organisations dedicated to supporting people affected by self-harm, suicide, and bereavement. With CDA Appliances match-funding every donation, every pound raised will have double the impact.

About the Nottingham Half Marathon

The Nottingham Half Marathon is one of the region’s most popular running events, attracting thousands of participants every year. The course winds through the city, showcasing some of Nottingham’s most iconic landmarks, and always delivers an electric atmosphere thanks to the cheering crowds.

This year, spectators are guaranteed an extra reason to cheer when they see Chris running past in a giant fridge costume. The light-hearted nature of the outfit adds humour and fun, but behind the costume is a serious mission: to raise awareness for mental health support and suicide prevention.

About Harmless

Harmless is a national centre of excellence for self-harm and suicide prevention. Founded in 2007, it is a user-led organisation, which means its services are shaped and guided by people with lived experience.

Harmless provides:

• Direct support for people who self-harm.
• Resources and information for families and carers.
• Training and consultancy for professionals and organisations.
• Campaigning work to reduce stigma and raise awareness about self-harm.

The charity’s mission is to reduce isolation, distress, and stigma while promoting health, recovery, and hope. By supporting Harmless, CDA is helping ensure that more people in crisis can access the right help at the right time.

About The Tomorrow Project

The Tomorrow Project was launched in 2012 after a series of tragic local suicides in Nottinghamshire. It was created to ensure that those affected by suicide could access urgent, compassionate, and practical support.

The project now offers:

• Crisis intervention services for those experiencing suicidal thoughts.
• Outreach support to engage with communities most at risk.
• Bereavement support for families, friends, and colleagues who have lost someone to suicide.

Operating across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire, the Tomorrow Project has become a lifeline for people navigating the darkest moments of their lives.

Why CDA is Supporting Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

At CDA, we believe businesses have a responsibility to support the communities they serve. Mental health challenges affect people in every workplace, family, and community. Supporting charities like Harmless and The Tomorrow Project is one way we can contribute to creating a culture of compassion, understanding, and hope.

CDA has a proud history of community engagement, from supporting local initiatives in Nottinghamshire to backing national campaigns that make a difference. By sponsoring Chris’s fridge run, we want to raise both awareness and funds for organisations that are truly changing lives.

A Word From Chris

Chris himself shared why this challenge means so much to him: “Running a half marathon is tough enough, but doing it dressed as a fridge adds a whole new level of challenge. It’s a fun way to draw attention to an incredibly serious cause. Harmless and The Tomorrow Project do life-saving work, and if dressing up helps spark a conversation and raise more funds, then it’s worth every step. I’m proud that CDA is not only supporting me but doubling every donation to maximise the impact.”

Every Donation Doubled by CDA

To make every contribution go even further, CDA will 100% match fund all donations. That means every pound you give will be doubled, directly supporting Harmless and The Tomorrow Project.

For example:

• A £10 donation becomes £20.
• A £25 donation becomes £50.
• A £100 donation becomes £200.

Every penny raised will be shared between the two charities, ensuring more people can access life-saving services.

How You Can Help

You can show your support for Chris’s fridge run in a few simple ways:

1. Donate online – Even a small contribution will make a big difference, especially with CDA’s match-funding. 👉 https://localgiving.org/fundraising/chriswardCDA
2. Share the message – Post about Chris’s run and Harmless on social media to help spread awareness.
3. Cheer on the day – If you’re in Nottingham on 28 September, join the crowds and cheer Chris on as he takes on the half marathon.

Cheering on CDA’s Managing Director

Running 13.1 miles is a challenge in itself, but doing it in a fridge costume takes dedication to another level. It will be a day to remember not just for Chris and CDA, but for everyone who supports Harmless and The Tomorrow Project through this event.

Let’s get behind CDA Managing Director Chris Ward and show our support as he takes on this unforgettable challenge. Together, with your donations doubled by CDA, we can help provide hope, compassion, and support for those who need it most.

👉 Donate today: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/chriswardCDA

CDA Blog > CDA FWC604 Wine Cooler Endorsed as a Which? Best Buy

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CDA FWC604 Wine Cooler Endorsed as a Which? Best Buy

The pandemic meant that we all spent more time enjoying life at home – and now the restrictions are over and with the joys of the Jubilee ahead, we Brits are entertaining with enthusiasm. It isn’t just family get togethers either – researchers at Mintel discovered that Millennials in particular prefer to stay at home with Netflix and a good bottle of wine.

This change in the way we live has meant wine coolers have moved on from being a marginal consideration to becoming an increasingly important appliance in people’s minds when they are renovating or improving kitchen spaces.

Wine drinking is no longer just for connoisseurs either, with recent polling commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) showing wine is now the favoured alcoholic drink for 60% of UK adults, compared to all other alcohol drinks. Over half (60%) of UK adults, including the majority in each age group and across all regions of the UK, now choose wine over other alcoholic drinks, amounting to over 30 million regular wine consumers across the country.

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It’s said that wine kept in a cupboard at home loses quality and flavour four times quicker than that stored in a wine cooler, and CDA’s wine chiller range is one of the largest on the market, with coolers that hold from 7 to 117 bottles.

People who buy wine coolers come from all sectors of the market – from those who just want to keep a few ready to drink bottles at hand, to serious collectors.

This is why we’ve created a range that has something for everyone and we’re proud to share that the FWC604SS and FWC604BL freestanding wine coolers from CDA have been awarded Best Buy status by Which?

         

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“It’s the best dual temperature zone wine cooler we’ve tested” says Which?

The FWC604SS has a stainless steel trim and the 604BL has black. Both coolers have dual temperature control and can hold up to 45 bottles. The Which? review praised the accuracy of the thermostat, temperature stability in hot and cold rooms, good humidity control and ease of operation and cleaning as winning factors.

 

At CDA, we are delighted that our wine coolers have been endorsed as Which? Best Buys. Our wine cooler’s are an integral part of our range and we’re keen to offer customers excellent choice in both freestanding and built in designs. If you’re considering adding a wine cooler to your kitchen, check out our Where to Buy page to find your nearest approved CDA supplier and national online retailers.