Bradford greetings card giant Hall-mark Cards became the first in its sector to win a coveted gold award for community activities.

The US-owned firm, whose UK headquarters and main printing and distribution centres are in the city, received the award in the Corporate Responsibility Index, run by Business in the Community.

Hallmark was also awarded platinum status in the Yorkshire and Humber Environment Index, which benchmarks regional companies and organisations on their environmental management and performance.

Ian Stuart, international president of Hallmark Cards, said: “This is a fantastic achievement, especially being benchmarked against peers including Boots, Marks & Spencer and Debenhams.

“It is testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our staff who are fully committed to ensuring that our organisation is robust in all areas of corporate social responsibility.”

Hallmark, which has opened a £12 million distribution centre at its Dudley Hill manufacturing site, and employs more than 2,000 staff in Bradford, has wide-ranging corporate social responsibility policies.

Its offices use only certified renewable electricity, 97 per cent of cards and all envelopes are printed in the UK and made from certified sustainable or recycled materials, and the company has cut its landfill use by 200 tonnes in the past two years by recycling 80 per cent of solid waste.

Over three years, £750,000 has been contributed to breast cancer research projects as part of its Cards For A Cure campaign for Mother’s Day. The company also supports Bradford Cares, helping employees to volunteer during work time to give something back to the community.

Hallmark also gave 230,000 greetings cards to a pioneering fire prevention scheme launched earlier this month to encourage young people to speak to their grandparents or other elderly people about fire prevention.

Cards are being distributed to every primary school pupil in Lancashire for them to hand out to elderly relatives or neighbours.

The cards encourage recipients to arrange a free home fire safety check.

e-mail: chris.holland@telegraphandargus.co.uk