CRASH, the UK construction industry’s charity, unites the construction industry by channelling the professional expertise, construction products and donations of their Corporate Patrons and supporters to transform hostels, day centres and homes for homeless people. CRASH also creates caring environments where children and adults, who need end of life care in a hospice, can spend precious time with the people they love.

Throughout the economic and social turmoil of recent years, one thing that has remained consistent is the kindness and generosity of our friends in the construction industry.

At CRASH they help homelessness charities and hospices with construction projects - and they couldn’t do that without the backing of some of the best companies in the industry.

They believe that people who are homeless need the chance to find a way off the street and into a place they can call home. They also believe that children and adults who require hospice care deserve buildings that offer dignity and peace.

CRASH helps homelessness charities and hospices by bringing together construction companies to share their skills and products to refurbish vital buildings. Last year they were able to help 31 charity projects across the UK.

One example of their work was with Caritas Anchor House - a homelessness charity in the London Borough of Newham, which has the highest levels of homelessness in the country. The 169 square metre ground floor lounge was no longer fit for purpose and CRASH patrons worked together to completely transform the space. This involved a full strip-out of all existing fixtures and fittings followed by redecoration throughout and the supply of new furnishings.

The total value of support given by patrons and supporters came to £135,602 and CRASH awarded a £20,000 cash grant.

One resident at Caritas Anchor House said that she had been living on the street before she was given a room. She said she planned to take some photos of the new space for her son because she felt so proud of her home.

Another recent example of their work was at Ashgate Hospicecare – which provides specialist palliative and end of life care to the people of North Derbyshire.

Overcrowding and lack of privacy in the cramped, shared wards was having a negative impact on the lives of the patients and their families.

CRASH Corporate Patrons helped to transform the busy three-bedded wards into spacious individual bedrooms all with private access to an external terrace. This created nine individual rooms which offer patients privacy in a beautiful, dignified environment.

CRASH awarded a £30,000 cash grant and the value of professional expertise and construction products donated from CRASH patrons and supporters came to £30,253.

Alison Ward-Foster, Partnerships Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare said: “£30,253 is an incredible saving and could pay for a nurse for a year. We cannot thank CRASH and their patron companies enough for all their help on the project.’’

CRASH constructs places that care for people when they are at their most vulnerable and they need your help to do that.

For the 2022 ‘Help keep the lights on’ appeal, companies can donate £600, £1,200 or £2,000 in the lead up to Christmas in return for a branded animated e-card.

With a pledge of £600, you receive an animated Christmas e-card that you can send to your network. The company name will also be included on CRASH’s ‘thank you’ communications.

For donations of £1,200 the company logo will also be included in these communications and, for a £2,000 donation the company will become a ‘Christmas Champion’ with pride of place on ‘thank you’ messages.

To join the prestigious list of donors and support the Christmas appeal, donate at https://www.crash.org.uk/christmas/

To become a supporter or Corporate Patron or to find out more about their work see crash.org.uk.

When we work together, we can make a real difference to people’s lives.