Festive fundraisers have raised £24,811 towards the aim of ending homelessness.
Employees from east of England housing provider Flagship Group have run cake stalls, washed cars and hosted mini-golf contests in a ‘trade-up’ contest for the group’s homelessness charity, Hopestead.
Lucy Parish, head of operations at the Norwich-based charity, said: “We are incredibly proud of what’s been achieved. The fundraisers have been so creative and enthusiastic, and there have been some brilliant things happening.
“At Hopestead, we believe everyone deserves a place to call home. All the money that’s been raised will go directly to support people who have experienced homelessness, so they can break the cycle and build a brighter future.”
Teams from Flagship were challenged to turn £10 into as much money as they could over November and December. The team from the group’s construction arm, Flagship Homes, raised the most, making £4,845 by hosting a bake sale, quiz night and more.
Flagship’s IT team came a close second, raising £4,612 with a retro video game night. There were also raffles, auctions, and even an indoor bike ride of around 400 miles – a distance covering a tour of Flagship’s offices in Norwich, Dereham, Mildenhall and Woodbridge and then on to Christmas-themed park Lapland UK and back.
David Armstrong, Flagship Group’s chief operating officer, said: “It’s been a real joy to see everyone so inventive and generous in their fundraising efforts. We’re very proud to continue supporting Hopestead and its incredible work.”
Money raised will support two of Hopestead’s key programmes, Hope at Home and Hope Funds. Hope at Home provides household essentials to people moving into a new home from a route of homelessness. Hope Funds provides grants and support to charities and social enterprises addressing homelessness across the east of England. The trade-up was sponsored by Fusion Furniture Solutions, a Bolton-based family firm which partners with Hopestead to provide affordable, tailored furniture, supporting people transitioning from homelessness into stable housing.
