What is it?
Burdens will this year become a CRASH patron partner. CRASH is the construction industry’s high profile charity, a practical charity that focuses on improving and constructing buildings used to help homeless people. They do this in three ways; awarding cash grants, providing professional advice and supplying free and discounted materials.
“We are delighted to welcome Burdens as a new patron partner for CRASH,” said Francesca Roberts, the charity’s Chief Executive. “As we face a challenging year ahead with increasing requests for help, it is wonderful to know Burdens are willing to commit not just funds, but their industry expertise which I’m sure will be of use on future homelessness projects. To everyone at Burdens, thank you all for your generosity and we look forward to working with you to change the lives of homeless men and women.”
CRASH is unique. As an industry charity they encourage patron partners like Burdens to get directly involved in helping the projects who ask for assistance. This practical approach delivers better standards of building by matching industry support exactly to the needs of a particular project. Sometimes a cash grant may be the solution, but often the expertise of a willing professional seconded to the project to help ensure effective completion, is worth more than money alone. Similarly, supplies of much needed building materials, from bricks to flooring and internal finishes, can help achieve a better outcome for the building’s owners and the end users. The industry’s goodwill and practical sharing of skills and materials means that much needed renovation and development can be carried out to a far higher standard than would otherwise be possible, providing a safe, sustainable and welcoming refuge for homeless people.
CRASH receives no government funding and is run by a team of three full-time staff. This way of organising a charity has enabled them in the last year alone to help over 60 homelessness projects across the UK.
How Burdens will help
Patron partners such as Burdens are essential in meeting the increasing funding needs and services CRASH provides. During the last year many patron partners seconded staff to be directly involved with the projects they help, as well as taking part in CRASH fundraising events from marathons to mince pie mornings! This partnership of skills and goodwill has resulted in an ever improving service for homelessness projects, resulting in better buildings that have a direct positive impact on the lives of homeless people.
News on Burdens’ initial fundraising and project involvement will follow in future editions of Inspire. For further information on: CRASH.
