4Com, the Bournemouth-based leading provider of business telephone systems, are delighted to announce that they have raised £41,234 for Dorset Nightstop, breaking their previous fundraising record. This money was raised after successfully completing their 24-Hour Moveathon over the 28th and 29th of September.
The charity event consisted of having someone from the company exercising at all times during the 24-hour period, including a team in their offices throughout the night. During the 24-Hour Moveathon, colleagues took part in various classes such as yoga, boxing, swimming, and circuit training in addition to taking turns to complete stints on the static machines.
Dean Cartledge, 4Com’s Chief Operating Officer and Head of the 4Com Foundation, praised the team, “When we decided to take part in a 24-Hour Moveathon, we knew it would be tough, but as always, our team were up for the challenge. For a lot of our colleagues, taking part in this challenge was a step outside their comfort zone, but they were still willing and dedicated to raising money for this brilliant local charity. I am proud of them all, from those that organised the event to those that got involved; they all went above and beyond to complete the challenge for Dorset Nightstop!”
The money raised by 4Com staff, and matched pound for pound by the 4Com Foundation, will provide 8 emergency safe spaces, hosted, and maintained for 12 months. These safe spaces will allow Dorset Nightstop to supply 350 safe nights per year to young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of being homeless in Dorset. In addition to a roof over their head, a hot meal, and a shower, the hosts also provide emotional support, to the young person, during this trying time in their lives.
Gary Scutt, Chief Executive Officer at 4Com, added, “I couldn’t be prouder of our incredible team at 4Com and their outstanding achievement of completing the 24-Hour Moveathon. The dedication and spirit displayed by our team throughout this challenging event is a testament to our core values and commitment to making a difference in our community. The money raised is extraordinary and will hopefully improve the lives of many young people facing homelessness in Dorset.”
Dorset Nightstop aims to help as many young homeless people into safe and friendly home environments, through a network of vetted volunteer hosts, while allowing agencies to look at long-term solutions. The charity work with referrers and housing providers to make sure that no young person in Dorset has to sleep rough. At the same time Dorset Nightstop staff work with young people to better understand the causes of their sleeping rough while also supporting them to access work, school or college, and other key appointments, such as housing assessments, benefit meetings and health appointments.
Mhairi Bass-Carruthers, Fundraising Manager at Action for Children, congratulated the team, “On behalf of Dorset Nightstop, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to 4Com and congratulate them on this remarkable accomplishment. The dedication, effort, and unwavering enthusiasm they’ve demonstrated throughout the gruelling 24-hours of non-stop exercise is incredible. The amount of money that the 4Com team have raised is phenomenal and will provide a vital lifeline to young homeless people in Dorset! We can’t thank the team enough!”
Action for Children says the cost-of-living crisis and lack of suitable and available accommodation means they’re supporting more young people at risk of homelessness than ever. 4Com are pleased to be a part of not only raising awareness for youth homelessness, but also being able to support them with the money raised to help tackle this homelessness crisis.
About Action for Children
Action for Children protects and supports vulnerable children and young people by providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. With 447 services across the UK, in schools and online, in 2021/22 we helped 671,275 children, young people and families. actionforchildren.org.uk
