News

Fabulous fundraising for St George’s Crypt

29 Sep 2023

Leeds homeless charity St George’s Crypt is set to benefit from a staggering £12,345 following Ingeus’s charity fundraiser. The money will go to support the charity’s Growing Rooms initiative for vulnerable people in the city following a much-anticipated charity auction and dinner.

Hosted at city centre hotel Malmaison on 23rd September, the event was planned by Ingeus’s justice team in Yorkshire in support for Butler Trust’s Hidden Heroes Day on 29th September, which celebrates the work of everyone working in justice, youth, and probation settings.

Proceeds from the event will support St George’s Crypt’s 15-month accommodation and recovery programme, Growing Rooms. People committed to changing their lives are able to live independently in community-based, supported housing while attending structured recovery sessions, and volunteering for the charity’s other initiatives.

“We were keen to carry on with Butler Trust’s past fundraising efforts for Hidden Heroes Day,” explains Carrie Peters, Director of Justice Services for Ingeus, who spoke at the event. “St George’s Crypt is a charity we work with closely, which benefits many of the people on probation we support in the area, and we’re delighted to have raised so much money for such a worthwhile cause. 

“Ingeus and St George’s Crypt colleagues gathered amazing donations of auction and raffle prizes from local businesses which helped us reach a truly amazing total on the night. I can’t thank everyone involved enough.”

Auction lots included jewellery, extravagant afternoon teas and dinners, signed football kit and memorabilia, weekends away and holiday vouchers. The raffle was equally generous, with ice hockey tickets, family meals and luxury wine on offer.

Chris Field, Chief Executive Officer at St George’s Crypt says the charity’s services are in full and constant demand and the much-needed funds will make a huge difference to local people struggling with homelessness and addiction issues. 

He said: “The Growing Rooms project is an important lifeline to many people, enabling them to support each other and focus fully on recovery, before building back the blocks of an independent, healthy, and working life. Without the generosity and efforts of local companies, our work simply wouldn’t be possible. I’m humbled by the amount of businesses that have donated items, bought tickets for the dinner, and boosted our fundraising efforts. 

“Ingeus has also been simply tireless in making arrangements for the evening to be enjoyed by all. It’s been a hugely fun event, with a serious purpose at its core, and we hope to repeat it in future years.”

Vocal group The Trilogies helped the beats – and bids – flow as 80 guests were given a night to remember – for all the right reasons.