Bidwells managing director Catherine Spitzer has completed an epic eight-day trek to the South Pole as part of the consultancy’s 180th anniversary charity fundraising campaign.
During the 111km expedition, she battled with temperatures of minus 45 degrees, altitude sickness and unforgettable blisters.
Spitzer said she reached her goal by “choosing to focus on all the positive things in my life, and let my mind focus on the amazing beauty of the place I was in”.
So far, Bidwells has raised £103,000 for cancer care charity Maggie’s and the Scotland Charity Air Ambulance.
Hill to donate 200 flats to house homeless
Housebuilder Hill Group is to donate 200 homes for the homeless to mark its 20th anniversary.
Costing more than £10m, the Foundation 200 pledge, to provide 200 fully fitted homes, will be delivered through newly formed charitable trust, the Hill Group Foundation.
Andy Hill, chief executive at Hill Group, said: “After celebrating our 20th year of building homes at Hill, I want to give something back and create real opportunities for people who are living on the streets, to help turn their lives around.
“The whole business is taking huge pride in delivering this initiative, and while we will not solve the problem today, we are taking a big step in the right direction, which we hope others will follow.”
The company is working with local authorities and housing associations to source land and secure planning for each of the small sites.
All 200 homes will be completed and inhabited within five years and will have a minimum 60-year life expectancy. The dwellings will be arranged in small groups, with no more than eight on one site and no higher than two storeys.
Wates helps prisoners rebuild their lives
Wates Residential is collaborating with recruitment firm One Way on a new scheme offering prisoners paid work on construction sites.
The Brighter Pathways programme supports offenders in the last 18 months of their sentence, helping them to find and retain employment, and secure affordable accommodation.
After a successful pilot scheme with HMP Ford in West Sussex, Wates Residential plans further placements across its projects, with Wates Group also considering rolling out the scheme across more sites in London and the South.
As well as reducing rates of reoffending, Brighter Pathways aims to upskill future construction workers and reduce the industry’s skills shortage.
St Modwen seeks the next generation
St Modwen Homes has launched its 2020 apprentice, graduate and trainee scheme. The programme, which starts in September, is open to all individuals interested in construction, commercial and technical roles. To find out more or register an interest, visit: www.stmodwenhomes.co.uk/vacancies
Fleurets supports Team Margot
Fleurets has announced it will be supporting Team Margot as its charitable partner for 2020. The stem cell charity was set up by Yaser Martini, a former director at Fleurets, in memory of his daughter Margot, who lost her battle with blood cancer in 2014. Team Margot aims to help others in need of stem cell transplants, by raising awareness of the need for more registered donors. For more information, go to: www.fleurets.com/team-margot
To send feedback, e-mail sharon.harnett@egi.co.uk or tweet @estatesgazette
