THIS year Miller Homes North East is supporting Centrepoint and worldwide development charity Habitat for Humanity in helping to make a vital difference in the region and beyond.

Fundraising activity to date has included one employee travelling to Africa with Habitat for Humanity, but a number of team members are set to take part in Centrepoint’s North-East Sleep Out in November.

Office manager and PA Emma Bartle, from Tynemouth, headed to Zambia earlier this summer on the Global Village Trip to build two Habitat Homes for families most in need.

Emma made the trip as a deputy team leader, using knowledge gained from a week spent in Malawi last year along with 15 colleagues. This formed part of a company-wide mission to raise £100,000 for Habitat for Humanity throughout the course of 2016.

Thanks to some fantastic fundraising, the total collected overall was £228,000, more than £34,000 of which was raised by the North-East. The success of last year’s fundraising campaign encouraged Miller Homes North East’s pledge to support the charity again in 2017, as well as an organisation closer to home.

“Although it was a very different experience compared to last year, it was just as rewarding to see the faces of the families we were able to support when they moved into their Habitat Homes,” said Emma. “I’m pleased that we’re able to work with the organisation as a region again this year as well as helping those a little closer to home through Centrepoint.”

Additional fundraising activity in aid of the two charities so far this year has included a quiz night, two employees taking on and winning Habitat for Humanity’s Hope Challenge in the Peak District, a small team walking the length of Hadrian’s Wall, dress down Fridays once a month and a Charity Golf Day. Still to come is a gala dinner and Centrepoint’s annual Sleep Out, which will see a number of Miller Homes North East employees join the charity’s event at the Stadium of Light and spend a night under the stars.

Patrick Arkle, regional managing director at Miller Homes North East, added: “We were overwhelmed by the efforts of our team last year in raising a remarkable total for Habitat for Humanity. This year we have a host of activities planned to carry on our fundraising, including Emma’s trip to Zambia which I commend her for.

“In addition we are also supporting Centrepoint – a very worthy cause which makes a huge difference to the lives of many young people across the North-East.”

For more information on Habitat for Humanity and to donate to the charity, visit habitatforhumanity.org.uk. For more information on Centrepoint and to make a donation, visit centrepoint.org.uk.