St. Modwen, one of the UK’s leading property developers and housebuilders, is celebrating after more than 400 property professionals took part in its annual charity runs this year, helping to raise more than £55,000 for LandAid.
Taking place in Longbridge, on the doorstep of the Birmingham-headquartered company, this year’s 5km and 10km races attracted a record number of runners and a fantastic array of industry sponsors, helping the company to raise a record £55,247 for the charity.
The funds will help support LandAid’s mission to end youth homelessness, including projects in the Midlands such as the Newark Emmaus Trust, a frontline youth homelessness charity, where money raised will contribute towards the purchase and renovation of a new property, creating three new move-on accommodation units for young people aged 16-25 experiencing homelessness.
Now in its sixth year, the day continues to go from strength-to-strength and this year’s 10km contest was won by Jack Hewitt of Arup in a time of 36:48, with Sarah Hollis of Gowling WLG the fastest female home in 47:02. In the 5km race, Ben Williets (18:11) and Ellen Williams (19:40), also both of Arup, stormed home to win their respective categories.
Sarwjit Sambhi, chief executive of St. Modwen, said: “Every year we are blown away by the incredible support that our annual charity run for LandAid receives and this year is no exception. We’ve had more pre-race sign-ups than ever before and we have continued to receive fantastic sponsorship support from across the industry, culminating in another record fundraising year. Thank you to everybody who ran or walked the route; to those who fundraised, donated and gave up their time; and to our friends and partners for their generous sponsorship; all in the name of raising crucial funds for an outstanding cause.”
Paul Morrish, CEO of LandAid, added: “LandAid are continually grateful for the tremendous support that we receive from St. Modwen through both our partnership, and their incredibly successful annual run. Sadly, it is clear that the youth homelessness crisis is getting worse every year. Continual action and support from companies across the property and built environment industry like St. Modwen, has never been more needed. With 136,000 young people approaching their local council for housing support last year, this shows a 5% increase on the previous year and a staggering 58% increase across the UK over the last six years. Continual financial uncertainty, rising rents and reductions in benefit payments have had a negative impact on the country’s most vulnerable and those organisations trying to keep up with this increased demand. We know however that we can do things differently with the right support. LandAid are providing homes, jobs and skills to thousands of young people across the country to keep striving towards ending youth homelessness for good. So, thank you St. Modwen for helping us do this!”
St. Modwen formed its partnership with LandAid in 2017 and has since raised more than £300,000 for the charity. The race has become a fixture of the Midlands property calendar and the company is also a regular supporter of the charity’s annual SleepOut event, as well as fundraising football tournaments and other activities.”
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