Tilia Homes Western cycles to success in charity fundraiser

Tilia Homes Western’s Commercial team put their peddles to the metal recently to raise almost £1,000 for its charity partner, Emmaus UK, the national organisation dedicated to eradicating homelessness.

Steve Atkins, Darren Harris, Phil Salter and Chris Senior cycled a collective 200 miles to represent the distance between all seven of the region’s developments, from Bristol and Chard, to Exeter, Yeovil and North Devon.

Tilia Homes named Emmaus UK as its charity partner in 2021 and set itself the ambitious target of raising £40,000 across its four regional offices. Tilia Homes will then match the amount, donating £80,000 in total to the worthy cause.

To date, Tilia Homes Western, headquartered in Exeter, has raised almost £6,000 of its regional £10k target, by holding office-wide bumper raffles and auctioning off show home furniture and fittings, and the commercial team’s cycling efforts.

Darren Harris, Commercial Director for Tilia Homes Western comments: “I’m proud to be part of a team that prioritises giving back to worthy causes, like Emmaus UK, which is why myself and the team wanted to show our support while raising awareness and much-needed funds for the organisation.

“It a challenging, but rewarding day spent with colleagues and we’re only too happy to have raised almost £1,000 for Emmaus to put to good use.”

Emmaus UK has already used almost £15,000 of the money Tilia Homes has raised to replace sash windows at its Brighton Community.

Emmaus Brighton is the largest community in the UK, with on-site accommodation for 57 companions. The main block is a three-story Grade II listed building within a six-acre site which was originally a convent.

Karen Chapman, Chief Executive at Emmaus Brighton & Hove, adds: “Emmaus UK aims to offer a warm safe space for our companions to live in safety and comfort whilst they rebuild their lives. The grant that we received has enabled us to provide that, by replacing or repairing the windows the bedrooms are now warm and toastie and the Companions couldn’t be happier. Everyone at the community would like to say a huge thank you to the staff at Tilia Homes, their support has made a massive difference to us and has created a lasting legacy.”

Tilia Homes has currently raised more £22,000 of its £40k regional target and has a number of future fundraising events and activities scheduled up and down the country.