Taylor Wimpey employees are shedding pounds to fundraise for CRASH while the housebuilder puts its muscle behind a hostel projectBERWICK STREET1213CONSTRUCTING A FUTUREwww.crash.org.ukwww.hen it comes to securing the perfect patron to really throw some weight behind a cause and make a difference, one of the UK's biggest housebuilders has to be pretty high on the list. Luckily for CRASH, it has got such a firm in the bag as residential development giant Taylor Wimpey is committed to backing the charity to the hilt - at all levels. From the chief executive to the HR team and two teams of keen dieters, Taylor Wimpey is dedicated to supporting CRASH and Centrepoint, the firm's national charity. Pete Redfern, the firm's chief executive, explains why: "Many years ago homelessness became far more recognised as a big issue, driven by both the magazine of the same name and media coverage. More recently it has become a more hidden and frankly unfashionable issue, with many of us only really thinking about it at Christmas time, when the difference between our own circumstances and those of the homeless becomes a focus. However, having been involved with both homeless people and organisations over the last few years, I have understood that the issue remains a major one and that homelessness and the lack of any sense of community that goes along with it is something that still blights many lives. It is too easy to brush it off as an issue that the victims could deal with themselves. Having met many homeless people I can say, without doubt, that every one of them has had to deal with issues in their lives, whether domestic violence, illness or bereavement, that I have not."Here we highlight just what Taylor Wimpey staff are doing, and the projects the firm is involved in, to fulfil its role as a CRASH patron.As well as CRASH, Taylor Wimpey has been working with Centrepoint, its national charity. Centrepoint provides emergency accommodation, support, information and training for young homeless people.CRASH has been working with Centrepoint on 25 Berwick Street, a hostel in Westminster, London, for young homeless people to use for a short stay of between nine and 28 days, which has needed a major redevelopment and transformation. Taylor Wimpey employees took part in the recent Centrepoint Big Sleepout events in London and the North-east, raising in excess of £16,000. London participants included James Jordan (group legal director and company secretary), Peter Andrew (UK land and planning director) and eight members of the graduate programme. North-east participants included the regional managing director of the North-east business (John Taylor) and other members of the senior management team. The housebuilder also entered a team in the Centrepoint Ultimate Pub Quiz, finishing a respectable third out of 23 teams with assistance from Dr Who actor David Tennant. CENTRE OF ATTENTIONTAYLOR WIMPEY'S INPUT HAS TRANSFORMEDCENTREPOINT'S WESTMINSTER HOSTEL ADAM IS ONE OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT HASBENEFITTED FROM THE BERWICK STREET HOSTEL

1213BERWICK STREETukwww.crash.org.ukCONSTRUCTING A FUTURE. Chief executive Pete Redfern will be running this year's marathon for Centrepoint. To donate or read more about his chosen charity visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/PeteRedfern. Director of design, Nick Rogers, is helping CRASH and the Spitalfields Crypt Trust with their 'YourTime' project which aims to give people who have overcome an addiction the opportunity to get work experience. The Trust is working on the development of a new coffee and bookshop in Shoreditch, east London, and Nick has agreed to help with the design, produced technical drawings and advised on building regulations. He has also negotiated with two of Taylor Wimpey's suppliers, Symphony and Greenwood, to provide the kitchens and ventilation. Nick Attree, head of procurement, has worked alongside CRASH providing it with a list of Taylor Wimpey suppliers it can use for its procurement activities. Jonathan Drake, head of investor relations and communication, is a member of the CRASH Communications Hub where patron firms advise CRASH on how to communicate more effectively with patrons and the media and raise the charity's profile. Taylor Wimpey's HR team has offered to provide job search and interview training to young people trying to secure employment. Teams of employees from Taylor Wimpey's offices in High Wycombe and Cannock have joined the CRASH diet challenge to raise money while losing weight. The final weigh in is due in early March. For information on Taylor Wimpey's involvement in your local community, visit about.taylorwimpey.co.ukPEOPLE POWERBEING ABLE TO OFFER CANTEEN FACILITIES ISCRUCIAL FOR HOSTELS SUCH AS CENTREPOINT CENTREPOINT PROVIDES HOMELESS PEOPLE INLONDON WITH A PLACE TO GO FOR THE NIGHT CENTREPOINT STAFF PROVIDE SUPPORT, INFORMATION AND TRAINING FOR THOSE IN NEED