Open Door Kerry Pollard explains the importance of our business sponsors
“Open Door could not provide the high level of care we want for our service users without the generosity of local business sponsors – and it’s not just financial.
A number of local businesses have supported us very generously over the last few years.
We are very grateful, and would like to give them all a big “Thank You”.
Notcutts
Notcutts have made us their partner charity. Their “pennies scheme” invites customers to round up their payments at the till – with the extra ‘pennies’ coming to Open Door. Chris Holt, Centre Manager, said “Open Door is a fantastic charity doing vital work for our rough sleepers – we are proud to work with them
Ayletts
Ayletts sponsor Open Door, and have been one of our partners for some time.
Veolia
Veolia ran ‘Soctober’ – providing generous donations of warm socks and underwear for the winter months
Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer in London Colney raised a magnificent £12,000 for us, and we were their nominated charity for a year.
Tesco
Tesco also did us proud at Christmas. A management team from Tesco Head Office supplied, prepared and cooked a superb Christmas lunch for all our service users.
Mercer and Hole
Chartered Accountants Mercer and Hole did some fence painting – saving us money.
Frosts
Frosts estate agents embraced the Open Door ethos whole heartedly – two of their Directors slept in Frosts’ office doorway overnight – although I’m told they are not going to make a habit of it! They gave generously, and also did a cake bake and ran a market stall. Their Director Dan Kirk said “Our visit to Open Door was totally inspiring, and we hope our fundraising helped in some small way. We look forward to working together again in the future” – which is a sentiment we echo at Open Door.
Aon
Aon supported us generously – as did Eon. We are very grateful to them both. Over the years our business community has supported Open Door magnificently and not just with financial help but with practical and continuing support – all helping to demonstrate that St Albans is a city with a caring heart.
Residents’ Group
I was very impressed by a donation from a Residents’ Group in Alexandra Road.
Over many years they ran a ‘Best Garden’ competition – which I helped judge. They decided to give the proceeds to Open Door – I was very proud of them all.
Luff Sleep
Luff Sleep are passionate about people sleeping better. As a local homeless charity doing great work, we thought they were perfect to donate many of our returned pillows to as well as £2,500 which has gone towards furniture for their residents.