TONY GIDDINGS INTERVIEW67CONSTRUCTING A FUTUREwww.crash.org.ukwww.Executive director Tony Giddings explains why Argent has worked with CRASH for almost a decadeThe idea is that we try and provide homeless people with a place they can goresidential units. Our first residents move into homes we have built for our RSL partner, One Housing Group, this July."Taking responsibility for helping people where we can is very important. I first did charity work in the Solomon Islands aged just 17 with charity Voluntary Service Overseas. I was actually about to go off bumming around Europe and my sister told me our parents would kill me and that I had to do something worthwhile. She suggested VSO and I was fortunate to be accepted. It was the most fantastic year and once I got into it I hastily wrote to my Dad asking him to cancel the degree I was due to start and find me a building course instead. It was what inspired me to go into construction."For more information visit www.kingscross.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @kingscrossN1Cony Giddings is executive director at Argent, one of London's best known developers and the company behind the 67 acre development at King's Cross. Here he talks about Argent's longstanding relationship with CRASH and his first forays into charity work aged just 17. "I find it so sad, so depressing, walking along the streets of London - one of the wealthiest cities in the world - and seeing people huddled in shop doorways. Having a home is one of the first things anyone should have as a basic right. And that's why it's essential we help these people. You can say 'they got themselves into this situation' or 'they should get a job' but in reality that's not always an option. Many of these people have had things happen to them in their lives beyond their control - broken homes, unemployment. Tackling these issues and trying to prevent them happening is an ongoing challenge but, as an industry, we can help people once they have found themselves in this situation. And that's where CRASH comes in. "We have been sponsoring CRASH for almost ten years after we noticed other construction firms forging links with the charity and decided we wanted to do something to help. We offer support across the UK in cities like Manchester and Birmingham but as a London company we do focus particularly on London schemes. The idea is to provide homeless people with a place they can go either by refurbishing existing property or finding suitable sites to build on. We are also doing lots of work around King's Cross to make sure there is plenty of affordable housing included in the 8,000,000ft2 of mixed use development23large, new office buildings which total .3,400,000ft2 of net office development20new streets10new major public spaces20restored and refurbished historic buildings and structuresUp to 2,000new homes and serviced apartments500,000ft2 retail opportunitiesKINGS CROSS IN NUMBERS

67THE PILSDON COMMUNITYukwww.crash.org.ukCONSTRUCTING A FUTURETHIS FARM COMMUNITY OFFERS PEOPLE A PLACE TO GO WHEN THEY ARE IN DIFFICULTYFor BAM, assisting CRASH through fundraising and renovation projects such as the Pilsdon Community has brought great benefits in returnCLIENTS WORKED ALONGSIDE EXPERTSFROM BAM TO RENOVATE A BARN IN DORSETrom bravely setting sail each year for the construction industry Dragon Boat racing to providing assistance and expertise on refuge renovation projects, BAM is invaluable to CRASH and the projects it takes on to change people's lives for the better. The construction giant recognises the benefits go both ways. CRASH work has allowed BAM staff to gain business experience, tackling roles such as helping CRASH refresh its brand - a creative challenge for one of its graphic designers - and, more generally, the group regards being a patron of CRASH as part of being a 'big player' in the construction and property services market. Here is an overview of how it makes its support, donations and skills count. Involvement in homeless projectsThe Pilsdon Community is a refuge centre based in Dorset set up as a place for people to go at the most difficult times in their lives. Whether they have experienced a sudden trauma or are dealing with a long standing crisis, the Pilsdon Community is somewhere they can count on for shelter and help. A team of volunteers from BAM Construction upped paintbrushes in January to renovate a barn to improve their accommodation quality and capacity before painting and decorating the facility. BAM also provided project surveyor services to support the 999 Club in Deptford. Open from 9:30am until 5pm Monday-Friday, the 999 Clubs, which are located across London, provide help to people who are desperate and lonely offering them clean clothes and food, a laundry service, help and advice. The Deptford Centre also has a nursery to provide care for deprived children who are fed, clothed and, sometimes, even taught to speak. Commitment to fundraisingOn top of providing skills and people hours, BAM is an active fundraiser for CRASH. This includes;. Entering teams in the annual Dragon Boat races in London and Manchester. Staff taking part in the CRASH diet challenge . The Mince Pie Morning selling festive treats and tea over the Christmas period to raise money. Supporting the Red Brick Appeal. This sees firms raising money for a project through whatever methods they choose - though the more red themed the better -think red wine tasting, wear red to work days. This is to produce as many 'red bricks' as possible, which are, in reality, £100 worth of fundraising. A red collection box has been designed to take exactly 100 pound coins to help donors know when they have hit their £100 target. The more red bricks, the better!BAM regards being a patron of CRASH as part of being a 'big player' in the industry