WE DID IT!
THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS READERS, WE RAISED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS TO HELP HOMELESS PEOPLE IN CARDIFF
WE DID IT! Thanks to YOUR generosity we have managed to raise a huge £82,000 to help homeless people in Cardiff.
In September we launched our Reaching Out to Rough Sleepers campaign with charity The Wallich. The aim was simple. We wanted to raise £75,000 to pay for five specialised vehicles which will go out onto the streets every day and help people who are sleeping rough in our city.
You told us that seeing people living on the city’s streets was something you wanted us to do something about – so we did.
And it’s thanks to our generous readers that we have raised more than we even hoped for – a huge £82,613.
We have been overwhelmed by the cash donations, everything from a few pounds up to hundreds.
You have bought Christmas cards for the cause, bought raffle tickets and planned events of your own.
We know people have gone above and beyond to try to make a difference.
It is has been a city-wide effort, and we can’t thank you enough.
During the campaign we have featured incredible stories of people who have had their lives transformed by The Wallich and volunteers and staff who give up their time to make a difference.
The new vehicles, will improve the speed, quality and reach of this service and will help to offer a lifeline to more people experiencing homelessness.
The Street Fleet will get people off the streets and take them to specialist Wallich solutions centres where they can shower, use a washing machine and meet with staff with the aim of securing accommodation and further health and well-being support.
As well as getting people off the streets, the vehicles have the potential to keep people off the streets, by moving people and their possessions into hostels or their own homes.
They will also create opportunities for people by taking them to training, education and work placements or on life-changing trips.
All of these services aim to help people who have experienced homelessness to lead happier, safer and more independent lives.
Thanks to you and the new vehicles, next year our teams will be able to have thousands of conversations with rough sleepers as they take their first step away from homelessness.
The charity will be able to deliver thousands of hot drinks and thousands of bacon rolls as staff and volunteers encourage rough sleepers to engage with solutions services.
Most importantly – this provides thousands of opportunities to help to get people off the streets and into safety.
Tryst Williams, editor of the South Wales Echo, said: “We have been amazed by the response to this campaign.
“The stories we have featured in the Echo over the last few months – thanks to our talented and hardworking team – have been both heartbreaking and inspiring.
“People like Huw, an accountant who ended up living on Cardiff ’s
streets, showed us just how easy it is to end up without anything.
“Then Leon was an example of someone who has totally turned his life around. He came to Cardiff with a criminal record and no idea where he would go next or how his life would pan out.
“He’s now undergone an amazing transformation, he’s working on the Central Square development and advancing his own career.
“The work he has done with The Wallich has helped both him and our city.
“Society tends to focus more on homelessness over Christmas than at any other time – yet the money you have raised will help every day of the year.”
Jan Balsdon, director of fundraising and partnerships at The Wallich, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the South Wales Echo for highlighting the diverse stories of those experiencing homelessness and the type of work The Wallich does to support people.
“Huge thanks must go to those who have contributed to our Reaching Out to Rough Sleepers campaign, both businesses and individuals. Your help will have a positive impact in getting people off the streets and into safety this Christmas and for years to come.”
We can’t thank everyone individually, but here are some of the people who contributed:
The 31 runners who raised more than £8,000 running the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The nine teams who took part in this year’s Clash of the Corporates which raised more than £22,000 in just 50 days.
Sytner BMW who helped to raise more than £2,500 during the unveiling of the new BMW M5.
The Waterloo Foundation who made a contribution.
St Davids Dewi Sant for donating prizes, and all those who bought a Reaching Out to Rough Sleepers Raffle ticket, which helped to raise more than £3,000.
The Tramshed and Walkabout for hosting collections at their events.
I Loves the ’Diff and all of the artists involved in designing our bespoke, limited edition Christmas cards, which raised around £4,000.
And not forgetting, the 504 people who very generously made a donation, set up a regular gift, or held a fundraising event to help us raise nearly £35,000.