24 May 2021
A group of remarkable retirees and their Development Manager from Shaftesbury will be staying up all night to raise vital funds for youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint.
Homefarris House is an independent living retirement development on Bleke Street in Shaftesbury, managed by FirstPort. Residents will be taking on the 12-hour marathon from 8pm to 8am in two-hour slots from Friday 28 May 2021. Their Development Manager, Katie Garland, is doing the full 12 hours at the development alongside her residents.
The rota system means that all willing volunteers – 12 so far, but more expected – can be accommodated in the recently re-opened communal lounge whilst observing the COVID restrictions around the number of people allowed to socialise indoors.
Residents getting involved include 93-year-old Veronica Sykes who is doing the 8-10pm slot and is very much looking forward to the challenge.
Fellow resident, Don Reynolds 84 who is doing 2am to 4am, says: “I’ve seen some very sad sights of people sleeping rough at St Pancras and Kings Cross, which was a real eye opener. I am delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile cause. We’re a lively community and I’m sure we’ll keep each other’s spirits high to get us through the night. Either that or keeping our brains active with a game of scrabble or two!”
FirstPort Development Manager at Homefarris House, Katie Garland adds: “I’m so proud of my residents who have really stepped up to support FirstPort and its charity partner, Centrepoint. We’ll be keeping our residents awake with games, refreshments, and chatter throughout the night. I am more worried about Don beating me at scrabble than falling asleep!”
FirstPort became an official partner to Centrepoint in October 2018 and works with the charity’s training and employment programme to help young people become more employable. FirstPort harnesses everyone’s efforts – its employees, clients, customers, residents, and contractors – to make a real impact, and has pledged to match any fundraising, pound for pound.
Sarah Squires, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at Centrepoint, said,
“It’s great to see FirstPort and the residents at Homefarris House getting behind our event and staying up all night for the homeless young people Centrepoint supports. This year has been extremely tough for vulnerable young people, as many have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and are struggling to pay their rent. That is why we are so grateful for ‘Team Homefarris House’ and everyone staying up with us this Friday to end youth homelessness.”
To show your support, please visit: https://stayup.centrepoint.org.uk/teams/team-homefarris referencing ‘Team Homefarris House’.
