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Update: Monday 28th September 2009
Steve Inett successfully reached John O’Groats with his father in-law on Friday 25th September. Steve has so far raised nearly £1000 for Porchlight.
Steve said, “I am delighted with the support I have had from friends, family and colleagues. The generosity of my sponsors has made the experience all the more rewarding.”
For step by step commentary and photographs of Steve’s journey visit his blog…
If you would like to find out about fundraising for Porchlight please visit our Get Involved section…
Steve is up for the challenge
Press Release: 20th August 2009
Setting out on the 14th September, Steve Inett, Porchlight Strategic Area Manager, will be cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for the charity.
The journey is expected to take two weeks but Steve is no stranger to long distance riding, regularly training at the weekends and completing a 100 mile charity ride of Kent’s castles earlier this year.
Steve said, “18 months ago my father in-law said he wanted to make the journey when he retired and I said I’d like to go with him. Little did I know he would retire so soon!”
“I am pleased I have the opportunity to combine something I love doing with raising money for a charity that helps so many vulnerable and homeless individuals across Kent.”
If you would like to sponsor Steve visit www.justgiving.com/SteveInett
—Ends—
Notes to the editor:
1. Porchlight is a Kent wide independent local charity that works to support single, vulnerable homeless people or those at risk of homelessness. It was established in 1974 as Canterbury Cyrenians and works throughout Kent.
2. Porchlight has accommodation based projects in Canterbury, Dover, Ashford and Ramsgate. The outreach team works with street homeless people as well as supporting former homeless people in their own homes, to prevent them returning to street life. Other services support people in their own homes who are at risk of becoming homeless.
3. In 2008-9 Porchlight helped over 1,600 vulnerable people. Porchlight projects include:
Kent Outreach: Our street outreach team work across Kent including working within prisons to help offenders who will be released from prison homeless. They operate a 24 hour fee phone helpline for help and advice with housing emergencies – 0800 567 7699
Young Persons Services: This includes a direct access hostel, longer stay hostel and shared house, providing support for a number years, until each individual is ready to live independently.
Mental Health: We run a housing project in Dover specifically for people with enduring mental ill-health. We also provide support to 7 clients in another purpose built accommodation project in Margate. In addition we also have a young persons’ mental health service that enables young homeless people with mental health problems to better access the health services they need.
General Accommodation: We have hostels in Canterbury, Dover, Ashford and Ramsgate. They range in the levels of support provided from high support needs with staff available 24hrs a day, to medium support with staff available on a 9-5pm basis.
Floating Support: This is a preventative service that provides support to vulnerable people in their own home who are at risk of becoming homeless. Many of these clients have been through the hostel system and are almost ready to live independently but just need a little support every now and again.
Training and Service User Involvement: We have a team that works with people accessing any of our services and helps them develop their skills and education. We provide tailored training and encourage people to get involved in the running and improvement of their project, or volunteer on a more formal level in the organisation. Porchlight is committed to involving our service users throughout all the activities of the charity. They are actively encouraged to become involved in education, employment, volunteering and service user involvement opportunities.
For more information about Porchlight contact Mark Parry on 01227 813196 / 07734 595308 or email Mark Parry
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