Building products manufacturer Forterra has raised a grand total of £16,283 in funds and donated almost £3,000 in products this year for homelessness construction projects in partnership with CRASH Charity, of which Forterra has been an industry Patron for the past two years.

Image caption: Forterra’s Thermalite aggregate blocks being delivered on site for a Kairos Community Trust extension project.

CRASH is the construction industry’s charity that helps homelessness charities and hospices with their construction projects – creating places that care for people when they are at their most vulnerable.

CRASH unites the industry and channels the expertise and products of companies to carry out construction, restoration and refurbishment projects for homelessness charities and hospices across the UK. CRASH Patrons provide practical support in the form of professional expertise, products and raw materials, which are put to use in each project CRASH undertakes.

Forterra’s fundraising activities for CRASH in 2019 saw staff take part in obstacle course challenge Rough Runner, the Construction Industry Dragon Boat Challenge and the Great North Run, as well as Forterra’s own initiative, a climb of Scafell Pike.  

In its capacity as Patron, Forterra has additionally donated a total of £2,850 worth of product this year, to two homelessness projects supported by CRASH: Kairos Limesdale Garden and Emmanuel House Support Centre.

Kairos Community Trust supports homeless men and women with drug and alcohol problems through detox, rehab, and a network of 28 supported move-on houses in London. The charity recently acquired two adjacent buildings in North London for use as essential move-on accommodation, and is extending into the loft to improve the communal facilities in both buildings and create additional bedroom spaces for residents. In partnership with CRASH, Forterra contributed a donation of its Thermalite aggregate blocks to the project.

Emmanuel House provides a safe, functional space for Nottingham citizens facing homelessness, vulnerability or isolation, with survival services including access to hot food and drinks, bathroom and laundry facilities. With the help of Forterra and three other Patrons, CRASH was able to refurbish the building’s toilet and shower facilities, helping to transform a centre accessed by an estimated 23,000 service users each year.

Kate Marsh, Senior Partnership Manager at CRASH, said: “Forterra has been incredibly supportive of CRASH since becoming one of our Patrons in January 2017. The company’s support includes participating in and organising a variety of fundraising activities, as well as donating materials to assist with the homelessness charities and hospices we support with vital building projects.”

Helen Newberry, Head of Marketing at Forterra, commented: “CRASH is an exceptionally worthwhile charity that makes a tangible difference to the lives of a real cross-section of people in need of clean, safe and stable environments across the country.

“Spacious, sturdy and efficient buildings form a crucial part of the services delivered by hospices and homelessness charities. This is why we are delighted to be able to provide both practical and financial support for CRASH and its work, and we look forward to collaborating with the team on future construction projects.”

For further information on CRASH and its projects, or to make a donation in time for Christmas, go to crash.org.uk/give.

For more information about Forterra, please visit forterra.co.uk. You can also follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram via @ForterraUK, or subscribe to the Forterra YouTube channel.