More Pre-Christmas Gifts And Charity Support From Housebuilders

The WhatHouse.com team has been receiving news of just how much housebuilders are doing for the communities in which they’re working, and their generous donations to a whole range of charities and organisations.

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes Cambridgeshire recently came together to pack shoeboxes full of toys and necessities as part of the Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child campaign. This project sees shoeboxes filled with toys, hygiene items and school supplies, which are then delivered all over the world to give many children their first ever gift. The Peterborough-based homebuilder packed 50 boxes for both boys and girls aged two to four, five to nine and 10 to 14. Will Phair, sales director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Cambridgeshire, said: “It’s important to us that we support a range of different causes, and credit goes to each of our colleagues for thinking of others and allowing them to have a special Christmas.”

Independent charity Telford Crisis Support foodbank has received a donation of 65 advent calendars with chocolate treats from housing provider and developer Bromford, to help spread cheer during the festive season. Catherine Jarrett, director of sales and marketing at Bromford said, “As we embrace the spirit of giving this Christmas period, we are thrilled to be able to support the Telford Crisis Support food bank. We hope that this small gesture symbolizes our commitment to supporting our communities and ensures that everyone feels the warmth and comfort of Christmas.”

Burnside Primary School in Carnoustie has received a £2,000 donation as one of Persimmon North Scotland’s Community Champions. The funding will be used by the school to purchase new sports kits for pupils for a range of sports from football and basketball to golf and cross-country running. The programme has seen more than £350,000 donated across Scotland in the last five years. James MacKay, Persimmon North Scotland managing director, said: “Our Community Champions scheme is all about supporting the communities we operate in and I hope the pupils are looking forward to picking out their new kits for the new year.”

Dandara East Scotland has renewed its partnership with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) for a second year and committed £1,200 to support the wildlife conservation charity’s work by adopting Edinburgh Zoo’s colony of Northern rockhopper penguins, listed as an endangered species as they face the risk of extinction in the wild. Tony Williamson, head of sales at Dandara East Scotland, said: “We were delighted to support the pandas last year and it is great to once again be able to support RZSS which does such an amazing job in protecting and nurturing endangered species like the Northern rockhopper and to teach future generations about the importance of conservation.”

A new programme aimed at helping young people aged 16 to 25 with experience of care or homelessness to access training and career opportunities within the construction sector has been launched by Lovell in Birmingham. Called ‘We’ve Got You’, te project is supported by the Care Leaver Covenant; St Basils; Birmingham City Council; and Birmingham Children’s Trust. Lovell mentors will help identify training needs as well as advice on job hunting and interview skills, and the company will also match up suitable job opportunities within their construction projects, in areas like architecture, engineering, law, and more. Simon Wingate, Midlands regional partnerships director at Lovell, said: “We are passionate about creating a difference within the communities in which we work and We’ve Got You represents our commitment to helping young people find their path to training, employment and homes.”