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Colleagues unite for causes close to their hearts

A team of colleagues from two housing associations have united to raise money for causes close to their hearts.

Staff members from Grand Union Housing Group, based in Milton Keynes, and Longhurst Group, which has offices and properties across the Midlands and East of England, are joining forces in their fundraising.

They aim to raise more than £40,000 for two charities, MIND and Harry’s Pals, by completing a number of challenges. Both organisations have personal motivations for raising funds, and want to support the charity sector, which has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Aileen Evans, Group Chief Executive at Grand Union Housing Group, said: “I’m so proud of what we've achieved so far as an organisation through our fundraising. By raising more than £33,000, we’ve already made a significant contribution to MIND’s Shine a Light campaign, my chosen Presidential Campaign during my year in office as President of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

“I’ve been very open about my family’s experience with poor mental health and I’m passionate about working with MIND to create an open culture about mental health in the workplace.

"We want to do all we can to fundraise, as we know all too well charities have been hit hard by the pandemic, and I’m very proud of my colleagues for taking part.”

Alongside its commitments to MIND, Grand Union recently signed up to Harry’s Pledge – a campaign launched by Harry’s Pals, calling for social housing providers to do more to support carers.

Harry’s Pals was set up by Hayley Charlesworth, daughter of Longhurst Group Chief Executive Julie Doyle, to support the mental health of parents of critically ill young children.

Hayley’s son Harry was born with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and many other complex needs which means that he needs round the clock care.

Julie added: “We’re delighted to be joining forces with Grand Union Housing Group, an organisation that shares our values, to raise money for these two fantastic causes.

“We are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve, which really speaks to the aims of both these charities.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing colleagues from both organisations coming together to take part in the range of fundraising activities that we have planned. I’m sure we’ll raise awareness and lots of money for these worthy causes and have some fun while we’re doing it, too!”