We are delighted to announce that five charities will benefit from a share of over £400,000 raised from the proceeds of the Wimbledon Foundation’s special grants initiative, A Roof For All.
The Wimbledon Foundation, the charity of the All England Club and The Championships, and a partner of ours since 2014, launched its Homelessness Fund, to mark its fifth anniversary and the opening of the new No.1 Court roof.
The Fund aims to strengthen homelessness charities’ organisational resilience and their ability to respond to service users’ increasingly complex needs and provide the most appropriate support. The charities all work in the locality of Merton and Wandsworth, and are Glass Door Homeless Charity, SPEAR Housing, Ace of Clubs, The Spires Centre and Western Lodge.
Lucy Abraham, Chief Operating Officer from Glass Door Homeless Charity said of their three-year grant: “Homelessness continues to grow in all areas of London including Wandsworth - this grant will enable the most vulnerable in our community to access life-saving shelter and support when they need it most.”
Daniella Fetuga-Joensuu, Interim Director from Ace of Clubs said: “Short termism affects many charities who try and implement projects and objectives to sustain the work that they do. Our guests will not have to worry for another three years, as the financial support from the Wimbledon Homelessness Foundation Fund, and The London Community Foundation, which has been made possible due to the roof launch celebrations of Wimbledon’s court. This is truly going to make it possible to keep the roof over the heads of our guests."
Stuart Nevill, SPEAR Chief Executive said: “SPEAR is delighted to have been awarded funding from Wimbledon Foundation Homelessness Fund. We welcome the Foundation's commitment to finding a roof for everyone. Thanks to the Foundation’s generous grant, SPEAR will be in a stronger position to support people rough sleeping in Merton and Wandsworth to move off the streets, find accommodation and improve their health and wellbeing. We look forward to working together”
Nigel Carpenter, The Spires Centre’s Chief Executive said: “With homelessness continuing to rise, this funding comes at an important time for Spires and will enable us to engage with rough sleepers, and those at risk of homelessness. The Wimbledon Foundation Homelessness Fund will enable us to develop support services and partnerships in and around Wandsworth to restore stability and security to some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”
Rod Plummer, Chair of Western Lodge said: “This grant made by the generosity of the Wimbledon Foundation will make a wonderful difference to the work of Western Lodge. We will continue to strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the clients we are seeking to assist back into society through the efforts of our dedicated and hardworking staff. As part of this process the trustees had planned to continue to enhance some of the facilities with the installation of a shower room in the house and this grant will enable us to undertake this task earlier than we had hoped.“
