‘Magic Key’ is a corporate Christmas fundraising campaign asking businesses to support Lancashire homelessness and our charity subsidiary Key Unlocking Futures. 

In support of the campaign Waitrose in Preston has very kindly donated a generous £750 alongside a group of former footballers from Bamber Bridge who call themselves the ‘Fat Dads’, who get together every year to celebrate Christmas and raise money for their chosen charity. This year they chose Key Unlocking Futures and raised a brilliant £700.

The Magic Key campaign aims to raise much-needed funds for Key Unlocking Futures, so they can continue helping and supporting young people experiencing homelessness throughout the festive period and beyond.

Demand for Key’s drop-in service, which helps those aged between 16-25 years experiencing homelessness, is always high. The reasons people become homeless are often extremely complex, but some known reasons young people have disclosed to Key’s support workers include poor mental health, poverty, addiction, disability, sexual orientation, and domestic abuse. Many young people have told Key they feel safer on the streets than at home.

Ursula Patten, Key Unlocking Futures Operations Director said, “We are very grateful to Waitrose and the former footballers group ‘Fat Dads’ for their kind and generous donation.  Without donations like these, we quite simply couldn’t support as many people as we do.  Last year we supported 344 young people and with the current cost of living crisis this is affecting many families and is driving up the demand for our services.  We want to help as many people as we possibly can and would be grateful to any business that is willing to support Key’s work.”

Kerry on behalf of Waitrose said, ‘Waitrose was so pleased to be able to support the local community by donating to Key Unlocking Futures to help them work with local young people who are experiencing difficulties at this present time’.

John a member of the ‘Fat Dads’ group said: “Each year the lads and I get together to celebrate Christmas.  We know just how fortunate we are as a group and so like to give back to local charities each year.  It’s the local charities who need the money most and we are happy we can support Key Unlocking Futures, who do amazing work, particularly for young people in our area.”

Jayne Allison, Key’s Business Development Manager adds: ‘When John rang me to say they wanted to donate £700 I couldn’t believe it.  We are so thankful to this amazing group of dads for supporting Key’s Magic Key campaign.  Some of them are even planning to support our annual sponsored sleep out in May next year.  This just shows what a great group of dads they are, with huge hearts.  Thank you all.”

Key Unlocking Futures are seeking local businesses to sponsor them so they can continue to support young people in Lancashire with a safe roof over their heads, food, clothing, and showering facilities. Key’s drop-in service offers a safe place for young people to drop into where they can receive advice, support and genuine help from Key’s support team, who will listen without judgement to help them get back on their feet.

Key has been supporting people across Lancashire for over 27 years. They do not turn anyone away or put a time limit on how long they work with people. They focus on an individual’s strengths and needs and build relationships focusing on the person, not a problem. Any funds raised through the Magic Key Christmas campaign will be used to support the work of Key Unlocking Futures, including The Base community centre in Leyland, which runs a community shop and café to support the local community.

For testimonials and information on Key Unlocking Future’s work, visit their website www.keycharity.org.uk

 

For further information, please contact Key Unlocking Futures, who will be delighted to give you more information about the wonderful charity and explain how your Magic Key will literally change lives. 

What will sponsors get in return?

With permission; businesses who donate £750+ will recieve:

  • A public thank you, on Key Unlocking Futures website, via social media and a local media press release
  • Permission for the next 12 months to use the ‘Magic Key’ logo and name yourself as a corporate supporter of Key Unlocking Future on your website
  • The opportunity for a member of your team to visit Key Unlocking Futures in 2023 to see first-hand what they offer and learn more about your community
  • An image of Key Unlocking Futures putting the funds to use
  • A physical key for display in your office.

 

If you would like to donate to the Magic Key campaign, visit www.keycharity.org.uk or phone 01772 678979.