Member Article

Yorkshire homeless charity raises record amount at annual event

A Yorkshire-based homelessness charity has raised its highest ever funds of £10,000 at its annual corporate fundraising event.

Simon on the Streets hosted its yearly Rough Diamond Ball on Thursday 13 June at Hilton hotel Leeds city centre. The ball saw 120 local business people and supporters of the charity come together for an evening of live music, a three-course-meal and fundraising.

The main raffle prize on the evening was an uncut ‘rough diamond’, courtesy of Pugata Jewellery, as well as a silent-auction with an array of prizes such as holidays and hospitality packages.

Winning the diamond worth £1,500 was Simon Dixon of Torque.

Award-winning solicitors, Weightmans, was the headline sponsor of the event, which raised thousands of pounds for the charity’s vital services for rough sleepers across Yorkshire.

Established in 1999, Simon on the Streets is an independent charity, which relies solely on sponsorship, fundraising and donations.

The charity works with local people who are affected by homelessness and rough sleeping in Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees. The organisation offers street-support to individuals who have complex needs and cannot access mainstream services, due to behavioural issues or mental illness.

The event saw a moving speech from former rough sleeper Pixie Pickering who told, how, without Simon on the Streets, she wouldn’t be here today, and the increasing need for the charity’s services.

Commenting on the event, new CEO for Simon on the Streets, Eric Richardson said: “This year’s event was bigger and better than ever with a staggering 120 attendees joining us and digging deep the support the vital work we do. This contribution will allow us to continue providing the street-based support and vital care that is needed to combat homelessness.”

Helen Brown, partner at Weightmans commented:

“It was an absolute privilege to support this event as the headline sponsor in raising these much-needed funds for this fantastic local charity who really do turn people’s lives round.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jennifer Ogden .