With the third sector relying even more on money from companies during the pandemic due to fundraising restrictions, two local charities in Honiton have benefited from over £4,000 donated by Baker Estates.
The award winning South West housebuilder has handed over a cheque for £1,500 to Hospiscare and £2,600 to Honiton Admiral Nurse.
In total, Baker Estates has handed out a total of £9,000 over the last year to the two charities, donating money every time it sells a home at its popular Hayne Farm development near Gittisham.
Every year, Hospiscare supports over 2,000 people living with a terminal illness and their families across Exeter, Mid and East Devon. Since its founding in 1982, the local charity has relied on the generosity of the local community, volunteers and regular donors. The charity needs around £8.4 million pounds each year to continue to help people and their families. Not surprisingly, this year has been the toughest year yet.
Ian Baker, Managing Director at Baker Estates, said: “We are proud to support these very important and well-regarded local charities. As a community focused housebuilder, we like to find ways of contributing to local charities, who are reliant on donations and work so hard to raise funding. We know just how important it is to keep our pledge during these times.”
Andrew Randall Chief Executive Officer, Hospiscare said: “We are incredibly grateful to Baker Estates for continuing to support us in this way. It’s been an incredibly tough time for all charities and we are depending on this type of support more than ever as we are facing a £1m+ deficit this year due to the impact of COVID-19 on our income streams.
“On behalf of Hospiscare, I would like to say a huge thank you to Ian Baker and the team for this generous support and we are really looking forward to continuing to work with them. The donations will help many people in the local area who are living with a terminal illness and those close to them.”
Heather Penwarden, Chairman of Honiton Admiral Nurse, added: “Fundraising for all charities is extremely compromised at the moment so for the past two years we have been so very grateful to have Baker Estates as regular donors to help us keep our specialist nurse in post. Every donation is valuable to us and it is with huge delight that we receive this donation of £2,600. We also pass on our thanks for all the support Baker Estates give to this community.”
Caption Annie Williams, Head of Sales at Baker Estates, Sarah Smith Head of Public Fundraising at Hospiscare and Heather Penwarden, Chairman of Honiton Admiral Nurse.