PUPILS from Newbottle Primary Academy in Houghton-le-Spring are set to benefit from a new ‘Hope Shelter’ – a happy place where they can go when in need of a safe and secure environment – thanks to leading housebuilder Miller Homes.
Built by a team from Miller Homes North East and painted by the school’s Year 3 pupils, with kind donations of paint from Zinsser, the Hope Shelter was officially opened by Lilian Monfard, corporate partnerships officer at Habitat for Humanity Great Britain.
The installation of the shelter is part of Miller Homes’ pledge to Habitat for Humanity, which has seen the housebuilder set out to raise £100K throughout 2016 – a figure which has already been exceeded with over three months of fundraising still to go.
The Hope Shelter is designed to represent the work which the charity does to build better lives for those most in need, as the money raised by Miller Homes will be enough to build over 30 ‘Habitat Homes’, and make a real difference to those living in poverty housing across the world.
To support Miller Homes’ fundraising activity and help raise funds for Habitat for Humanity, Newbottle Primary Academy will be undertaking its own fundraising, including hosting a bake sale.
Pupils also enjoyed a special assembly hosted by two representatives from Miller Homes North East who have just returned from Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village Trip, which saw a 17-strong team of Miller Homes employees visit Malawi in Africa for one week to assist with the build of ‘Habitat Homes’.
Patrick Arkle, operations director at Miller Homes North East, said: “As a company there has been a great deal of fundraising happening across the UK and we’re so pleased to have already reached over £107,000 in total.
“As part of our efforts here in the North East we were keen to work with Newbottle Primary Academy to get pupils on board and help them understand how different life can be for children living in other parts of the world, many of whom don’t have a safe, secure and happy place to call home.
“We hope that the children will enjoy the benefits of their new Hope Shelter, which will provide a safe haven for them should they need it, and we are so grateful for the school’s fundraising support.”
Mrs Shield, head teacher at Newbottle Primary Academy, said: “The Hope Shelter is a welcome addition to our school playground and we are delighted to have accepted this from Miller Homes. The whole experience has been extremely beneficial for our pupils who have gained an insight into the important work which Habitat for Humanity does. As a school we fully support Miller Homes’ fundraising efforts for the charity – a very worthy cause.
Meryl Davies, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, said: “Throughout the year we’ve been overwhelmed by the effort and enthusiasm which we’ve seen from the Miller Homes team and are thrilled to have officially opened the latest venture in their fundraising journey, the Hope Shelter at Newbottle Primary Academy.”
To support Miller Homes North East’s fundraising efforts for Habitat for Humanity donate athttps://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/malawimillerhomesNE and for more information on the company’s charity activity visit www.millerhomes.co.uk.