News

Things are warming up nicely for LandAid Day 2014, with some great fundraising ideas hitting our inboxes over the past week or so.

After a summer of crunching numbers, reviewing targets and drawing up graphs, LandAid can now proudly announce the launch of its 2013/14 Financial Review. A detailed summary of the charity's performance over the 12 months from April 2013 to March 2014 can be found in the document below, but for starters, here's a selection of our highlights:

Last night saw the official launch of LandAid's pro bono campaign at our annual summer party. On the night, we asked the property and construction sectors to donate over £200,000 worth of vital time and expertise to support our projects. We want each of our corporate supporters to commit at least 10 days of free professional advice in 2014-15, acting as a catalyst social objectives and the resources of businesses to drive change. The overall aim is to get 40 companies to donate 10 days each.

On a beautifully sunny day in June, Liz Potts, Elise Austin and I travelled south west to Jamie's Farm in Wiltshire. A number of students from a south west London secondary school were half way through their five day residential visit. Aged 11 to 16 years, they had various emotional and behavioural problems - the type of young people who benefit from the holistic approach of Jamie's Farm.

The stark figures released by the Social Mobility and Child Poverty (SMCP) Commission last week highlight the real challenges facing young people in the UK. The most sobering statistic is that 3.5 million children will be in absolute poverty by 2020 - the very year that the Government's aim of eradicating child poverty will expire. The Commission's damning assessment in response to the Government's draft child poverty strategy 2014 to 2017 is that the Coalition is not doing nearly enough to address the problem.

After a very rewarding day in Glasgow and Kilmarnock, LandAid had two more stops to make in our trip to Scotland. The day began with a very enjoyable visit to our charity partner Four Square at their hostel for homeless young people in Edinburgh. Homelessness is a major problem in Scotland's capital, with the city's streets home to the greatest number of rough sleepers in the country.

Last Friday Liz, Laureen and Alex from the LandAid team paid a visit to Queens Park to meet with charity partner Avenues Youth Project, which was set up in 1979 to provide after-school activities for disadvantaged children and young people in the area. LandAid are providing a grant of £50,000 to help the Avenues Youth Project refurbish their centre, serving 400 young people per year.

With at least 119 offices from 48 companies across the UK property industry taking part in LandAid Day we estimate around 3,000 people took part in #LandAid Day 2013 - Mission Possible. Add companies who had teams in the LandAid Day Abseil and the Treasure Hunt, and 67 companies were involved.