Scarborough retailer raise money for youth homelessness charity
Proudfoots has donated £2,500 to SASH through sale of reusable carrier bags
The sale of reusable carrier bags in Scarborough retailer Proudfoot Group’s stores has raised £2,500 for youth homelessness charity SASH, which will help fund the provision of accommodation for young people facing homelessness in North and East Yorkshire.
The funds were raised in Proudfoot’s four supermarkets, based in Newby, Eastfield, Seamer and Manham Hill, over the last three months.
SASH prevents youth homelessness by placing 16–25 year olds who have nowhere safe to stay with volunteers and supporting them towards independence. As well as ensuring young people have a safe and stable place to live, SASH places great emphasis on ensuring that they are accessing education, training or employment.
According to SASH, so far this year Scarborough referrals are higher than any other area the charity covers across North and East Yorkshire. Young people within Scarborough account for 44% of the charity’s service users in Supported Lodgings (longer term accommodation) and 31% in Nightstop (emergency accommodation).
Aimee Harding, Fundraising Officer at SASH, said:
“Last year, 40% of those referred to us were just 16 or 17 years old and extremely vulnerable. Our volunteers do a fantastic job opening up their homes to welcome these young people and keep them safe when they have nowhere to go, but we also need funds to keep our services going.
“The money raised by Proudfoot will help us to continue to provide both emergency and longer-term accommodation for young people facing homelessness in North and East Yorkshire.
“Our aim is to make a lasting difference to each young person, so they will never have to experience homelessness again.”
Proudfoot stores have been raising money for good causes via the sale of reusable bags since the introduction of the carrier bag charge in 2015 and have donated around £70,000 from the funds raised to charities and other community groups in the area.
In addition, Proudfoot stores have supported local causes with more than £100,000 in donations raised through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity to date.