They may be hosting quiz nights, knitting socks or even juggling flaming Christmas puddings on the high street — all in the name of ending homelessness, one tenner at a time.
Homelessness charity Hopestead, which is part of housing provider Flagship Group, is launching an innovating festive fundraiser. Hundreds of Flagship employees will make up 20 teams which will each strive to turn a £10 note into as much money as they can – by (almost) any means they can think of.
Hopestead Head of Operations Lucy Parish and Bethan Bishop present Flagship Group’s Director (Strategic Asset Management) Garry Knights with £10 for the festive fundraiser.
Lucy Parish, Hopestead’s Head of Operations, said: “We can’t wait to see what creative ideas the teams come up with to turn their tenners into tidy sums. As long as it’s not illegal or immoral, it’s basically anything goes. So you may see Flagship staff hosting lemonade stands, cake sales, or doing a sponsored cartwheel race in a park near you.
“We’re really excited about the Great Big Hopestead Festive Trade Up. It’ll support our goal of ending homelessness, and it’s a fun way of strengthening connections with the communities Flagship serves.”
Money raised will go to support Hopestead’s homelessness campaigns, as well as 11 partner charities. These are: The Breckland Children’s Clothes Bank, Cambridge Women’s Aid, Hope into Action Norwich, Norfolk Community Law Service, Selig Suffolk, St Vincent de Paul Society, the Sue Lambert Trust, the Benjamin Foundation, The Horticulture Industry Scheme, the Magdalene Group, and Cambridge Winter Comfort. The charities are partners in the Hope Funds campaign, which sees Hopestead fund projects which are helping to end homelessness across the east of England.
The fundraiser will run until December 13, and it is being sponsored by Bolton-based furniture manufacturer and wholesaler Fusion Furniture Solutions. Fusion works with Hopestead on its Hope at Home campaign, which furnishes homes for people moving into a new Flagship home from a route of homelessness. This support plays a key role in helping former homeless individuals establish a sense of permanence and dignity in their new homes.
