Homeless charity smashes target

HUMBLED young homeless charity champions have said a ‘huge’ thank you to supporters for exceeding their expectations during a crucial fundraising week.

Doorway had set themselves a target of raising £7,200 in just one week but, with the help of the Help the Homeless campaign, they smashed it - hitting almost £10,000.

A huge £9,385 including gift aid was collected during the Big Give, which is the nation’s biggest online match funding campaign, giving charities the chance to have any donations double during the week.

Stunned Carol Gallagher, chief executive officer at the Dugdale Street-based good cause, could not contain her delight, saying the response from the community ‘far exceeded’ their expectations. “Wow,” she said. “The figure is fantastic, it far exceeded our expectations and we are so grateful to everyone for their support.”

She went on to thank the Telegraph’s Help the Homeless campaign for throwing the spotlight on the charity, which supports 16 to 25-year-olds who are at risk of or who are homeless .

“We are so grateful of the support we have received, it has really helped to boost the Big Give campaign and also the charity itself.”

The money will go towards the work that Doorway does to help young people who have found themselves on the streets or without a permanent roof over their heads.

It will help pay towards various workshops such as Lifewise and Job Wise where young people can gain AQA accredited qualifications as well as get involved in organised team and character building activities.

“All of these activities aim to improve their mental health and wellbeing and develop their life skills to enable them to make a positive contribution to society either through education, volunteering or employment by empowering them to turn their lives around,” the chief executive officer said.

The Big Give came during a special year for Doorway as it is celebrating its 20 anniversary.

The charity has only been in Nuneaton for the past five years, after originally being based in Bedworth, but the strength of need from the town pulled them over to Nuneaton and to the property in Dudgale Street. Doorway offers drop-ins in nearby Atherstone as well as Rugby and Stratford.