​Radius go higher and farther for AWARE fundraising

Radius Housing raise £15,000 for charity partner AWARE

Press release 10th October 2019

Radius Housing’s fundraising efforts for 2019/20 charity partner AWARE NI have hit the £15,000 milestone, just 10 months in to the two year programme of events. The charity partnership began in January, and staff from the housing association have already taken to great heights to abseil down some of Belfast’s tall buildings, traversed the streets of Belfast for the marathon, and tackled the toughest elements of the Slieve Donard Trek.

AWARE was chosen as charity partner for 2019/20 by Radius Housing staff, who saw the positive impact their work has on people who are experiencing mental ill health. As well as the range of outdoor challenges Radius staff are undertaking to raise funds, they are also organising coffee mornings and bake offs in offices and housing schemes across Northern Ireland. Radius has also announced that they will hold a Gala Fundraising Ball for AWARE on 5th June 2020 in Titanic Belfast.

AWARE delivers mental health and wellbeing programmes in communities, schools, colleges, universities and workplaces throughout Northern Ireland. The charity has an established network of 23 support groups in rural and urban areas across the country, which are run by trained volunteers. Support groups welcome people with depression and bipolar disorder as well as those who care for people with the illness. Many of the AWARE support group volunteers have personal experience of depression having been to a support group themselves for help and support.

Radius Housing provides housing, care and support to over 33,000 people in Northern Ireland and deliver a range of care and supported living schemes to a broad range of clients with complex needs. The schemes include caring for the vulnerable and elderly, residents with dementia, learning disabilities and those who are homeless.

Karen Collins, Chief Executive of AWARE, said: “AWARE are delighted to have been chosen as Radius’ charity partner. Not only is the money raised so important in helping us to continue to provide our support groups and training programmes but through the partnership we have had wonderful opportunities to speak with Radius tenants and staff about their own mental health and give advice on promoting positive mental health”.

John McLean, Chief Executive of Radius Housing, added: “The passion and energy which Radius staff and tenants have brought to the fundraising this year shows just how important the work of AWARE is to us. The training and support AWARE provides is making such an important difference to peoples lives, as well as making workplaces better for us all.

“Whether it be taking on a marathon, abseiling down a 10 storey building or baking cakes for a sale, we know every pound we raise for AWARE is going to make a difference. And we are not done yet, there are many more miles to be run, cups of coffee to be drank and, of course, a gala ball next June.”

To find out more about the Radius AWARE Gala ball, contact: Caoimhe Caldwell, Marketing Officer, at Caoimhe.Caldwell@radiushousing.org.

ENDS

Further information

Brendan Scott

MW Advocate

028 9026 7072

Brendan.scott@mwadvocate.com