Comedian backs charity’s drive for recovering addicts
RUSSELL BRAND LENDING SUPPORT TO ORGANISATION’S MATCH-FUNDING CAMPAIGN
COMEDIAN Russell Brand is backing a Burton charity to raise money in a Christmas Challenge that will see all donations doubled.
The O’connor Gateway Trust will be taking part in the The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2021, the UK’S largest match-funding campaign which raised more than £20 million for participating charities last year.
This year’s campaign has been running from November 30 and ends at noon today, and every donation the charity receives during that time will be match funded so ONE donation will have TWICE the impact.
The O’connor Gateway Trust will be raising money for its project, the Recovery Academy, which is based at the charity’s social enterprise, Langan’s Tea Rooms, situated in Burton House, George Street, Burton.
The Recovery Academy delivers services to people in recovery from drug/ alcohol addiction and provides access to volunteering, employment, training, social and leisure activities, drop-in space within Langan’s Tea Rooms, together with safe housing opportunities.
The charity was founded by Noreen Oliver MBE, founder and chief executive of the BAC O’connor Centre, in Burton.
Mrs Oliver said: “People in early recovery from drug/alcohol addiction face multiple barriers in accessing employment and training which vastly increases their chance of relapse as we all need something positive to get up for in the morning and feel we have purpose as contributing members of society.
“The Recovery Academy gives volunteering, training and employment opportunities to people in recovery who have undergone rehabilitation at the BAC O’connor Centre, in Staffordshire, so they can build CV material with support from our team and find long-term employment back in the community.
“As well as volunteering and employment opportunities at our social enterprise, the Recovery Academy has an IT suite, job club, in-house training, key working and group work to support people in recovery to set and achieve goals in gaining employment, training and suitable accommodation to support their on-going recovery and reduce the risk of relapse.
“Covid 19 has significantly affected the income at our tea rooms and we need to ensure we can remain open to provide these opportunities.
“The Big Give Christmas Challenge is a great opportunity for The O’connor Gateway Trust. The pandemic has had a massive effect on our fund-raising, with The O’connor Gateway Ball not being held for two years which has resulted in a loss of around £20,000 for the charity.
“We would like to express our extreme gratitude that the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust have chosen to support the O’connor Gateway Trust and become our Champion for the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2021 with a match fund sum of £10,000.”
Donations made to The O’connor Gateway Trust via thebiggive.org.uk will be doubled during the campaign which takes place until noon on December 7.