Homelessness
According to crisis.org, the COVID pandemic increased pressure on service provisions who saw a noticeable rise in new cases of people experiencing homelessness due to a number of factors such as those being furloughed or newly unemployed, to those escaping the rising cases of domestic abuse.
But homelessness is just one issue. The long-term effects of homelessness have drastic impacts on physical and mental health, and also a greater exposure to substance abuse and crime.
You can help by donating to Adam's JustGiving page. Adam will be cycling from Hull to Blackpool in the new year.
Homelessness in Blackpool
Chards has been in business for over 55 years and is based in the seaside town of Blackpool for which, like many other towns across the country, homelessness is an issue affecting the local community.
Fortunately, Blackpool is home to a wonderful charity called Amazing Graze, which provides food, shelter and entertainment for the town’s most at-risk residents.
Even through COVID, the Amazing Graze team were able to adapt to government guidelines and offered hot food takeaways and weekly food parcels throughout the lockdown.
Amazing Graze’s current projects is The Big Red Night Bus. This is the initiative of turning a double decker bus into a 16-bed sleeper carriage with kitchen and toilets to ensure safety throughout the night.
Some Statistics
- Almost 600 people died while homeless in England and Wales in 2017.
- The average age of death was just 44 for men and 42 for women, compared with 76 for men and 81 for women among the rest of the population.
- A homeless rough sleeper is 9 times more likely to commit suicide than the average person.
- There has been a 165% increase in rough sleeping since 2010.
- 170,000 families and individuals are experiencing the worse forms of homelessness in Britain.
- This is expected to almost double in the next 25 years unless there is change.
- 92 % of private rents in Britain are unaffordable for single people, couples or small families who receive support through local housing allowance.
- 8,900 people are estimated to be sleeping in tents, cars and public transport in the UK.
- Every year more than 150,000 young people across the UK ask for help with homelessness.
- One in six prisoners report being homeless before they are taken into custody.
source: homelessfacts.co.uk
Help Us Help Blackpool
For many in the North West, Blackpool holds many childhood memories of the Pleasure Beach, the Sandcastle and the illuminations. Unfortunately, what is not often discussed is the problem of homelessness within the very same town that evokes such memories.
This is why, when we asked the staff who we should raise money for, the vote for Amazing Graze was almost unanimous.
We’ll be working with the team at Amazing Graze in any way we can in order to raise the funds they need to complete their Big Red Night Bus and offer support in further projects.
What We’ve Done so Far!
We recently attended the London Coin Fair and helped raise awareness of Amazing Graze by allowing people to donate and win prizes like a 2020 1 oz Silver Britannia.
We’ll be updating our website in the coming days and weeks so visitors can donate directly on our website, but in the meantime, you can donate via our Facebook fundraiser page.
Every little bit helps so please give what you can.
Ride the Lights 2021
Tuesday 31st August was Blackpool's annual Ride the Lights. This where thousands of cyclists ride their bikes along the promenade and enjoy the famous illumination before the official switch on. A few of the staff took part, although one member of the team who doesn't have a bike, decided to run the distance instead (around 15K!). We were able to raise another £62 pounds thanks to the generosity of Blackpool's locals.
Adam's Hull to Blackpool Charity Ride
Update 29th November 2021: Adam’s Hull to Blackpool bike ride has sadly been postponed due to Adam having some much-needed surgery. We wish Adam the best and a speedy recovery. He’ll be back out on his bike in the new year. In the meantime you can still donate to his JustGiving page here.
More to Come
We've got plenty of things in the pipeline so stay tuned!!