CRASH charity unites the construction industry to help people who are homeless, and children and adults with a life-limiting illness. It is only with the backing of some of the leading companies in the industry that CRASH’s construction work for homelessness charities and hospices is possible.

CRASH understands that a building is more than a roof over your head. When life is tough, having a room to call your own, or a dignified and calm space to receive hospice care is vital. This is because our environments have a real and powerful impact on how we feel and behave. CRASH creates safe, warm, and welcoming environments for people when they need it most.

Your company can help CRASH by supporting its annual Christmas card appeal. In return for a donation, companies will receive a festive e-card with their logo to send to customers and colleagues. And the opportunity to feature in ‘thank you’ press advertisements in the new year.

Your donations will enable CRASH to continue its work helping vulnerable people. For example, CRASH recently supported the world’s first children’s hospice, Helen & Douglas House, which cares for terminally ill babies, children and young people up to the age of 18, making every moment count.

At the most challenging time of their lives, Helen & Douglas House gives families the time and space to enjoy the precious moments they have left with each other. Amid exhaustion and grief, they help families cope with their child’s final days.

Although Helen & Douglas House hospice cares for children and young people, the hospice lacked an age-appropriate space for teenage patients. They identified the need for an independent space for teens, predominantly wheelchair users, to hang out, play games, or step away from the main hospice building.

Modular construction specialists Reds10 manufactured, installed, and fitted out a modular building that now sits in the hospice grounds. The total saving to the hospice was £107,871 thanks to donated professional services and building products from CRASH Corporate Patrons.

Holly from The Siblings Team at Helen & Douglas said, “The young people seem much more relaxed meeting us in Doug’s Den than they ever did in a sterile meeting room in the hospice. I have taken a young man whose sibling was in for end-of-life care into the den for a chat and to see how he was... If a young person wants to express themselves by getting creative, we’ve got everything to enable them to do so. If they’re not in the mood for talking, they can blow off steam by playing a video game. If they want a chat over a hot chocolate, we can make them comfortable on the sofa and grab one of the fold-out coffee tables whilst we listen. It is lovely to sit in an age-appropriate space in these situations.”

Projects like Doug’s Den are only possible with the support of the construction industry. Support the CRASH Christmas card appeal to help keep the lights on and be the spark of hope for vulnerable people and their families this Christmas and beyond.

Get involved at https://www.crash.org.uk/christmas/ or contact fundraising@crash.org.uk