Charities which support homeless people and those with dementia are in line for a boost from big-hearted staff at Salford business MC Construction.
The company’s 60-strong team has voted Together Dementia Support and Salford Loaves & Fishes to be MC Construction’s charities of the year for 2024, with a goal of raising a total of £10,000.
Their fundraising efforts began earlier this month with an abseil at the Trafford Centre Palazzo shopping mall tower. An intrepid group, which included managing director Russ Forshaw, raised £1,000 for Together Dementia Support. The company has also donated three laptops to each chosen charity.
Together Dementia Support, based in Hulme, Manchester, provides practical support to help people live better with dementia.
It runs friendship and activity groups, enabling people to get out of their homes, keep them active and make new friends.
Other services include dementia cafés, carer training courses, social events, short-term respite, home visits and information and advice to families.
The charity, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, worked with 1,000 people in 2023.
Chief executive Sally Ferris said: “Despite new drug treatments, there will still be an increase in the number of people with dementia. We know our services have a big impact on people who would otherwise be isolated and despairing, but we are struggling to meet the need.
“We rely entirely on grant funding and our own fundraising efforts, so we are really grateful for the support and encouragement of MC Construction. We hope this will be a mutually beneficial partnership.”
Thousands of people receive support each year from Salford Loaves & Fishes, which runs a range of services to assist homeless, isolated and vulnerable people living in and around the city.
It helps those seeking employment and training, has a drop-in centre which serves hot meals, runs a skills-for-life centre, provides advice and referrals on housing, food, finances, health, accommodation and benefits matters, as well as offering drug and alcohol support, an advanced IT and computer course and an arts and crafts group. The number of people using its services is rising by 300 a month.
Chief executive Jennifer-Anne Smith said: “We support anyone who needs help, as the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have brought working families to us who can’t afford to live. Due to these factors, we are struggling to deal with our current and rising demand.
“We receive less than five per cent statutory funding per year and need to source nearly £500,000 a year to operate. Support like we are receiving from MC Construction is amazing, and helps us to continue supporting local people.”
Russ Forshaw said: “I’m sure our team will get behind our fundraising efforts in 2024, as they have always done in the past.
“Both charities we are supporting this year are based close to our head office and their invaluable work directly helps thousands of people in the local community.
“Raising much-needed funds for each organisation will make a real difference to them by having a positive impact on the services they are able to provide.”
Previous charity events and activities at MC Construction have included golf days, bake-offs, raffles, payroll giving and endurance challenges including skydives, the National Three Peaks Challenge, the Great Manchester Run and Tough Mudder.
Pictured (left to right): Jeff Seneviratne, Together Dementia Support’s chair of trustees, Together Dementia Support chief executive Sally Ferris, Salford Loaves & Fishes chief executive Jennifer-Anne Smith and Russ Forshaw, managing director of MC Construction.