Scaling new heights for charity
Ian Williams employees at have proved the
sky’s the limit when it comes to fundraising, after scaling the
three peaks. Thirteen staff donned their walking boots over the
weekend to tackle the UK’s highest mountains - namely Ben Nevis (4,408 feet), Scafell Pike (3,205 feet) and
Snowdon, (3,560 feet). The 13 were joined by three support crew –
invaluable members of the team for driving, provisioning and safety
backup. Their efforts saw them raise in the region of £4,000
(donations still being received) in aid of national 
homelessness and housing
charity, Shelter
The challenge, which was for the teams to
complete each of the peaks successfully and safely within the two
days, was undertaken to mark Ian Williams’ new commitment as
Shelter’s official corporate sponsor.
Richard Parry, one of the participants, said:
“We all agreed that the effort involved in completing this
challenge was well worthwhile. Shelter state its mission as being
‘helping people find and keep a home and to campaign for decent
housing for all’. This is very much in tune in with the Ian
Williams ethos. Shelter have a mountain to climb in achieving their
mission, so by climbing the three peaks we are very pleased to have
played our part in this common goal.”
Since 2006 Ian Williams has worked with the
charity, donating more than £30,000 to help the charity support
homeless and badly housed people. Initiatives launched since 2006
have included a series of training programmes designed to teach
formerly homeless people DIY skills. The joint Homeless to Home
project sees ten-week courses offered to enable families to make a
house a home. Those who complete the course are given a free
toolbox.
Working in thousands of homes across the
UK, and with many housing associations and local authorities as
clients, Ian Williams is very much aware of the value of the work
Shelter does. This fundraiser is just one part of the work
undertaken with the charity and the company is pleased to be an
official sponsor for a minimum of a further three years. In the
coming weeks Ian Williams is set to work with the charity to look
at how we can reduce empty properties and reduce the time between a
property being let between social housing tenants. We hope our
expertise, time and financial commitment will make a real
difference to people in housing need.
Louise Parkes, director of fundraising at
Shelter, said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with
Ian Williams. Over the years they have provided us with very much
valued support. The Homeless to Home project alone has helped
families in need develop new skills, as well as giving them a sense
of achievement and the ability to make their new house a home.
“We look forward to working with the team on
other such projects in the coming months.”