The inaugural Berkeley Foundation Biathlon has raised more than £70,000 to help tackle youth homelessness, beating its original fundraising target by more than £20,000.
Colleagues, partners and supporters of Berkeley travelled more than 240km from Birmingham to London over three days between 4 and 6 September.
Participants started with a marathon walk from St Basils’ Live & Work space in Birmingham to Leamington Spa, before cycling 159km to Uxbridge and completing a second marathon walk to New Horizon Youth Centre in Camden.
Money raised will be divided equally between St Basils in Birmingham and New Horizon Youth Centre in London, both long-standing charity partners of the Berkeley Foundation.
SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE
St Basils supports young people aged 16 to 25 who are homeless, vulnerable or at risk of homelessness across the West Midlands.
New Horizon Youth Centre works with young Londoners aged 16 to 24, providing services including housing advice, outreach, health services and employment support.
Funds from the biathlon will support emergency accommodation, housing advice, life-skills programmes, employment support and other practical assistance.
Piers Clanford, Chair of the Berkeley Foundation and Chief Operating Officer of Berkeley, says: “As a business, creating homes is at the heart of what Berkeley do. Through the Berkeley Foundation, we extend that commitment beyond the homes we build, investing in organisations that help young people access the safety, stability and opportunities they need to build positive futures.
“We know that a safe home is about much more than four walls and a roof. It is the foundation from which young people can access education, employment, good health and independence.
“We’re incredibly proud of our long-standing partnerships with St Basils in Birmingham and New Horizon Youth Centre in London, and I’m proud of the team for taking on this challenge in support of their work.”
‘HUGE DIFFERENCE’
Marsha McAdam, Chief Executive of St Basils, adds: “St Basils works with young people aged 16 to 25 who are at risk of homelessness or who have already found themselves without a safe place to live. Our goal is to help young people rebuild their confidence, develop new skills, find work, continue their education and, ultimately, create a future that’s full of opportunity.
“The money raised through the Big Berkeley Biathlon will make a huge difference to both our causes, helping us prevent youth homelessness right here in the West Midlands.”
