Tie-in with housebuilder rakes in £170,000 on the night

Parents and families across Scotland are set to benefit after a vital charity received a funding boost.

Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire was picked by Barratt Homes as its official charity partner for its annual dinner, raising £170,000 on the night. 

The cash means HomeStart can continue to support its vital services as the running cost crisis deepens and support families hit by the increasing costs of living.

While the cost-of-living crisis is hitting families in poverty hardest, charities like Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire are struggling to cope with the rise in referrals for their services and the funding required to take this work and other developments forward.

Nikki O’Hara, director of the charity said: “We are stunned with the generosity of this donation - it’s an incredible sum of money to receive and will allow us to continue to support families and their young children at such a crucial time.

“Along with helping us sustain what we do, it will enable us to recruit and train more volunteers to support families through the difficulties that they face. Volunteers are the heartbeat of our organisation and families tell us daily of the difference their volunteer makes in their life.”

While the financial contribution is “a lifesaver”, it also opens other doors.

“With 600 people attending the dinner and hearing about our work, of course there was a perfect platform for profile raising and networking,” O’Hara added.

“From the event we have gained two new board members to support work around HR and health and safety, 12 walkers to join us at the kiltwalk and a number of staff interested in volunteering with us as part as our community days offer.

“We are secretly hoping that if we have any small building requirements, they might be just the people to ask.”

David Scott, managing director, Barratt Homes West Scotland, said: “When we heard about the amazing work Nikki and the team at Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire were doing, we felt moved to get involved. We believe that every child deserves the best start in life and Home-Start is there for families when they need it most. I am humbled to think that our charity dinner will help support families across Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire during difficult times.”