Emmaus Cambridge has donated £6,000 raised at its second-hand shop in Landbeach to The Prospect Trust at Snakehall Farm.
As Emmaus Cambridge’s charity of the year, The Prospect Trust received the donation of £6,000 after Emmaus held a solidarity sale on Saturday 29 September at its second-hand shop in Landbeach. The shop, which is stocked with pre-loved items from generous members of the public, welcomed a large number of customers who purchased furniture, clothing, household goods and much more, with all takings from the day going to The Prospect Trust.
The Prospects Trust supports people, known as co-workers, who have learning difficulties, physical disabilities and varying health needs. The social enterprise offers supported day placements, training, and work experience opportunities on its 18-acre organic farm in Cambridge and garden teams working around Cambridgeshire. The donation will be used to buy essential tools and personal protective equipment for people working on the farm and in the garden teams, repair one of the polytunnels on site, and help make the site more accessible for people with disabilities.
Speaking of the donation, Mark Cornell, a farmer at The Prospect Trust, said:
“When Emmaus Cambridge picked The Prospect Trust as their solidarity partner we were delighted, but to receive such a large donation has truly astounded us. We have always been impressed by the work of Emmaus Cambridge and we are looking forward to the year ahead as their charity partner.”
At Emmaus Cambridge, we provide a home for as long as needed and meaningful work for 44 formerly homeless people, known as companions. Thanks to our recent #10FreshStarts fundraising campaign, 10 more rooms have been built, which will grow our community from 34 to 44 companions by the end of the year. For people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion, Emmaus offers an alternative route out of homelessness within a supportive environment. Those supported in our community live together and help to manage the charity’s pre-loved shop, coffee shop, and gardens, which allows them to gain valuable skills and raise vital funds to run the charity.
Diane Docherty, Director of Emmaus Cambridge, said:
“Our companions are passionate about supporting local causes and solidarity. Helping those less fortunate than ourselves is central to the Emmaus ethos. Our companions support The Prospect Trust by working alongside the co-workers on the farm. The sense of community that this engenders is a vital part of people re connecting with one another, which is something that is often lost when one becomes homeless.”
To find out more about Emmaus Cambridge, please visit www.emmaus.org.uk/cambridge.
To find out more about The Prospects Trust, please visit www.prospectstrust.org.uk