Trust employees offer vote of support for Hospice and CAB

Two local charities are to receive the support of Halton Housing Trust this year after employees voted for the causes they most wanted to help.

Halton Haven Hospice and Halton CAB will both benefit from the efforts of Trust employees who will raise money and provide expertise over the next 12 months.

Each year employees at the Trust are asked to vote for the charities they wish to support. This year saw a massive increase in the numbers of people voting from 77 in 2010 to 150.

“The increase reflects the positive experiences from the work that took place at both Norton Priory and Halton Haven Hospice last year,” said Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Halton Housing Trust.

“It is important that our employees, a large number of whom live and work in Halton, have the final say in the charities that we support.”

In the past year plasterers, joiners, electricians and plumbers from the Trust helped to breathe new life into Norton Priory Museum and Gardens. Nearly every member of Halton Housing Trust’s 240 staff spent at least one day at the 900-year-old priory refurbishing the main gallery, fixing lights, heating and improving plumbing. They also refurbished the café and reception area.

This year more than 10 organisations applied for support, with four being shortlisted to face the employees’ vote.

Halton Haven Hospice has been supported by the Trust for the last three years and the backing will continue for another 12 months.

The Hospice provides a ‘home-from-home’ environment and vital round-the-clock care for people with life-limiting illnesses. This costs £2.1million a year and the charity relies on local donations to raise 60 per cent of its operating costs.

Carole Gibbard, Chair of the Trustees for Halton Haven Hospice, said: “We have to say a huge thank you to the Trust and its employees from the patients and staff at Halton Haven Hospice.”

Hitesh Patel, Halton CAB’s Chief Executive, said: “We provide a vital service to the community in Halton so it means a lot to receive this support from the Trust.”

Halton Housing Trust, which owns and manages 6,100 homes across Runcorn and Widnes, has been supporting nominated charities since it was formed in 2005.

It holds its own fundraising events and employees also take part in high-profile events such as the English Half Marathon and the Halton Five Mile Road Race to raise much needed cash for its chosen charities.

“We also provide our nominated charities with support in business areas such as PR, finance and corporate governance as well as the obvious support with building maintenance and refurbishment,” said Nick Atkin.

“Our nominated charities are key partners for the Trust and we actively encourage our customers and stakeholders to support our nominated charities.”