Housing association staff will be showing support for Liverpool’s Whitechapel Centre as they take on a gruelling fundraising challenge.

A team of 15 runners from Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT) and Liverpool-based Symphony Housing Group will tackle more than 160 miles between them in a series of events kicking off this Sunday (13 March).

LHT’s Chris Sullivan, John Walmsley and Andy Williams will join Symphony’s Richard Bramwell for the Liverpool Half Marathon at the weekend in aid of the centre, which works with rough sleepers, helps to people to overcome addiction and prepares others to move into their own home along with a range of other services.

The charity also works closely with LHT to help vulnerable people to avoid homelessness, and supports residents at the association’s purpose-built Alt Bank House homeless hostel in Fazakerley.

Ruth McCaughley, fundraising manager at the Whitechapel Centre, says: “We’re really grateful to the LHT and Symphony team. The money they raise will help us to keep our centre open every day of the year for people who have slept rough – providing a warm welcome, a hot shower and clean clothes, breakfast and housing support.”

Throughout March and April, other Symphony staff will also take part in the Wilmslow Half Marathon, Manchester Marathon, the Cheshire 10k and Heptonstall Fell Race to complete the overall challenge, which is being taken on in support of the National Housing Federation’s ‘Run For Homes’ campaign to highlight the difference social landlords make.

Other charities will also benefit from the team’s running, including the Booth Centre which helps homeless people in Manchester and the Inspiring Futures scheme to support young carers in Salford.

Bronwen Rapley, chief executive of Symphony Housing Group, says: “The charities our staff are supporting do an incredible job at helping people to rebuild and improve their lives.

“Housing associations play a big role in that, too, which is why we were so keen to get involved and support the ‘Run for Homes’ campaign.”

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