McCarthy & Stone has launched a charitable foundation to champion the role of older people in society.
The McCarthy & Stone Foundation will enable the retirement communities developer to build on its long-term commitment to support older people and create lives that are fulfilling, healthy and independent. The foundation will deliver a grants programme, longer-term charity partnerships and volunteering opportunities.
Each programme will be designed to strengthen communities and support local charities and organisations, while providing support for older people facing isolation, loneliness, or poor health; young people who may be falling behind personally and academically; and communities in need of regeneration.
John Tonkiss, McCarthy & Stone’s CEO and a trustee of the foundation, said: “Covid-19 has shown that there are real challenges to overcome within local communities and sadly the most vulnerable in our society are often older people and the young.
“We are therefore delighted to be able to launch the McCarthy & Stone Foundation to help bring generations together, do more to support the lives of older people and support regeneration. We look forward to working together with our employees, partners and homeowners to have an important and lasting impact on people experiencing challenges around the country.”
Local charities get £180,000 boost from Hammerson
Hammerson has launched its Giving Back Project, which will see 88 charities, community groups and other organisations across the UK receive a share of £180,000 in grants.
Hammerson’s nine UK flagship destinations will each distribute £20,000 to local charities supporting groups affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, dealing specifically with tackling food poverty, domestic violence and abuse, homelessness, and supporting employment opportunities.
Recipients include Bristol homelessness charity Caring, Leeds Women’s Aid, and CommuniCare in Reading.
Mark Bourgeois, Hammerson managing director UK & Ireland, said: “Charities and community groups up and down the country have truly gone the extra mile to support people, so we felt that it was only right to give something back, to ensure these organisations can continue to carry out their valuable work for years to come.”
Phoebus staff scale the heights during lockdown
Two staff at fintech firm Phoebus Software have completed virtual ascents of Mount Everest in aid of Acorn Children’s Hospice.
David Breeze and David Marsden-Green each climbed a distance equivalent to the height of Mount Everest by running up stairs, cycling up hills and climbing Mount Snowdon.
Breeze said: “I completed the task by climbing the Lickey Hills every night, which was roughly 300m per evening over a five-week period and two climbs up Mount Snowdon.”
Thirty more staff clocked up 874 miles, the distance from John O’Groats to Land’s End, through a mix of walking, running and cycling.
The team’s efforts have raised more than £2,000 for the hospice. The money will go towards supporting children with tailored care plans, including emergency and end-of-life care, short breaks, as well as emotional and practical support.
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