Family Firm Targets Mental Health Agenda
Regent Street-based property developer and investor Howard Group has pledged to raise over £5000 in fundraising donations as members of the family-owned firm sleep rough for the night as part of the YMCA’s Sleep Easy event on Friday 9 March.
Now participating for the second year running, members of the Howard Group team will spend the night in the cold at St Catharine’s College Sports Ground from 7pm to 7am. In 2017 the team raised £3000 and have set an increased target this year, with the specific aim of generating much-needed funds for the charity’s ‘Access to Employment’ programme for young homeless people.
As part of the YMCA’s dedicated initiative, vulnerable young people are provided with critical support to help tackle mental health challenges, as well as practical guidance to empower them to enter the world of work. Each course of counselling costs the YMCA around £450 per person, with a further £210 needed to deliver essential CV writing assistance, interview preparation and other one-to-one support. In 2017 YMCA supported 78 young people with the service, at a cost of £48,510 all funded through voluntary donations.
“It is critical that we all play our part in helping to address these issues and support those doing such valuable work amongst us,” said Howard Group’s CEO Nicholas Bewes, who is leading the effort. “We are motivated to help raise awareness of the causes behind homelessness and find ways to alleviate the suffering caused. If we can help even a handful of young people to get back on their feet with the right support, then we are making a difference.”
