A Leicestershire building material manufacturer has raised £170,000 over the last three years to support its charity partner Shelter and to help it fight the housing emergency.
Colleagues from Ibstock plc, which is a leading manufacturer of clay and concrete building materials and solutions, have gone above and beyond in raising vital funds through a series of fundraising activities, including team sleep outs and cycle-a-thons covering over 2000km. All funds have been matched by the business to help Shelter’s frontline services support people who are experiencing homelessness and the charity’s work campaigning for lasting change.
As Ibstock’s first ever corporate charity partnership, the company says that the relationship reflects its commitment to help overcome injustices within the housing market as part of its ESG Strategy 2030, which outlines its commitment to support and strengthen communities to help make a real difference.
The original two-year partnership, which was formed in 2019, was extended for an additional year due to the pandemic, with an increased fundraising target of £170,000.
Earlier this year, Ibstock extended its fundraising commitment even further with a unique incentive that offered businesses and individuals the opportunity to purchase a limited edition, personalised engraved brick. Each brick will be used as part of the construction of Ibstock’s new kiln at the world’s first ever net zero carbon brick factory at its Atlas site in the West Midlands.
Raising over £18,000 so far, the engraved bricks, which will be created as part of Ibstock’s ‘A Place in History’ campaign, will create a visible mural that acts as a significant reminder of the importance of building spaces that are affordable, safe and can be a place to call home for everyone.
Joe Hudson, CEO of Ibstock plc, said: “Our business is at the heart of building, we are extremely conscious of the responsibility we have to help end the housing crisis by supporting the construction of a new generation of low carbon, affordable social homes.
“Whilst achieving our initial £170,000 fundraising milestones marks the end of our three-year corporate charity partnership with Shelter, it certainly isn’t the end of our relationship. We will be continuing to support Shelter in its fight for home throughout 2022 and beyond as we also support further local causes that are important to each of our regional manufacturing sites.”
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “We are incredibly grateful for Ibstock’s support over the last three years, and are delighted that they will be continuing to work with us in our fight for home.
“Every day at Shelter we support people who are struggling with bad housing and homelessness. We know all too well how tough it has been for people during the pandemic, and now with rents rising and living costs spiralling, our work helping people to find or keep hold of a safe home is more critical than ever.”
For more information on Ibstock’s charity commitments and its ESG Strategy 2030, visit: https://www.ibstockplc.co.uk/sustainability.
Anyone who is facing homelessness can get free and expert advice from Shelter by visiting: ?www.shelter.org.uk/get_help.??
