The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a ground breaking fundraising campaign to celebrate their 150th year – to raise £2.25m for LandAid, which will fund 150 bed spaces for young people who have experienced homelessness.
Known as Pledge150, the campaign will be the biggest fundraising initiative in LandAid’s history. The money raised will be given in grants to life changing projects across all of the RICS’ 12 UK regions. It will create safe, secure and affordable homes for young people who have experienced homelessness.
RICS plans to raise funds through 2018 at a variety of annual events and through staff and partner university initiatives. Those working in the land, property and construction sectors will be encouraged to join in with the challenge and think big, in terms of their fundraising activities and in helping to publicise the campaign.
Paul Morrish, LandAid Chief Executive said: ‘Over the last five years we have raised over £7.5m to fund 100 exceptional accommodation projects for young people at risk of becoming homeless.
‘But let’s not forget that at least 80,000 young people in the UK experience homelessness every year. And homelessness’ doesn’t just mean sleeping on the streets, it can include those sofa surfing’ or living in overcrowded and unsafe accommodation. So, we are delighted to be teaming up with RICS in what is the biggest ever single fundraising campaign in our history, to deliver a substantial number of homes for young homeless people across all 12 UK regions.’
Matthew Howell, RICS Regional Managing Director, UK & Ireland added: ‘As part of our milestone birthday next year, we want to raise awareness of the vital role that chartered surveyors and other built environment professionals can play in solving youth homelessness.
‘As part of this, we will be encouraging all those who work in the built environment sector to pledge their support for our campaign, and help us deliver secure accommodation for young homeless people. Youth homelessness is a problem that can be solved, and the property industry can, and should, lead the way in terms of helping to solve it in every way they can.’
As part of the RICS Pledge150 campaign, those working in the built environment may also be given the opportunity to provide pro bono property advice to local charities supporting disadvantaged young people, families and communities, including those experiencing homelessness.
All firms that make a corporate donation to the RICS’ Pledge150 campaign will be highlighted on the organisation’s online pledge wall and will have the opportunity to say what they are actively doing to help end youth homelessness.
For more information on the RICS Pledge150 campaign – including the tools available to get you started – from brochures and posters along with suggestions of fundraising activities – visit the RICS website.