Cash in store to help charity

Jun 4 2009 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

HOMELESSNESS charity Save the Family welcomed a funding boost from a leading city retailer.

Marks and Spencer has donated £100 to the Chester-based organisation, which provides emergency accommodation, training and support for homeless families from throughout the North West and North Wales.

The money, raised by staff and customers, will be used to help fund Save the Family’s second accommodation centre at Cotton Hall Farm on the outskirts of Chester.

Once complete, the Cotton Hall Farm development will create homes for up to 26 homeless families, together with adult and children’s education facilities.

Marks and Spencer Chester store charity co-ordinator Jean Turner presented Save the Family fundraiser Angella Rawsthorne with the cheque last week.

Jean said: “Save the Family is an amazing organisation that offers a real solution to those in crisis.

“In the current economic climate, more and more people are being affected by homelessness and the work of charities, like Save the Family, is essential.

“At Marks and Spencer Chester we pride ourselves on supporting local causes that have a real impact of people’s lives and Save the Family is a great example of that.”

Angella added: “Marks and Spencer is a fantastic supporter of our work and we have been privileged to receive both practical and financial support from the business over the years.”

In 2007/2008, Save the Family received 204 referrals of families but was only able to accept seven percent.

In the first half of 2008/09 the referral rate has already increased by 20 percent.

For further information about Save the Family visit www.savethefamily.uk.com