Over 80 senior property professionals from across the South West gathered together this morning to form LandAid, the property industry charity, South West Fundraising Board.
The event, hosted by Osborne Clarke, saw LandAid Chief Executive Paul Morrish, Cllr. Paul Smith and Gavin Bridge of Cubex, rally the property industry in the South West to come together to change the lives of young homeless people. Cllr. Paul Smith talked about the City Council’s work to tackle homelessness and the ways in which businesses can help.
The LandAid South West Fundraising Board will be chaired by Gavin Bridge of Cubex and will be made up of 12 leading figures from the property industry and will be tasked with raising money to fund local charities working with young homeless people in the South West.
LandAid, which already has established regional boards in the North West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber, has chosen to locate its fourth board in the South West due to the rising need for housing and support for young vulnerable people in the region.
LandAid has already funded a number of projects in the area and is working closely with Gavin Bridge and Cubex on the innovative East Street Mews project. This project, in conjunction with local charity Developing Health & Independence and Bristol City Council, has brought property and construction companies together to create 11 brand-new bed spaces for young homeless people in central Bristol.
Paul Morrish, Chief Executive, Chief Executive, says: ‘LandAid is proud to be setting up our fourth regional board here in the South West. By bringing together senior professionals from across the industry, to raise awareness and funds, we can make a real difference to the lives of young homeless people in the region. Gavin Bridge’s knowledge, networks and energy will be key to our success, and the success of the board, particularly as we make progress on the East Street Mews project in central Bristol.’
Gavin Bridge, Executive Director, Cubex says: ‘I am delighted to be working with LandAid to create the first South West regional board. As a Bristol property developer, I am acutely aware of the significant challenges that increase young people’s risk of homelessness in our great city.
The East Street Mews project is a way we can tackle these disadvantages; using our skills and working together to make a tangible difference to young people’s lives and futures.
The unwavering commitment of our existing partners and the offers of support received, demonstrate that the property industry locally can become a force for good, and, that by working collaboratively we can become actors for positive change.‘