Only A Pavement Away (OAPA) is calling for industry backing as it launches its ‘Fill A Flask’ campaign, to help keep the homeless hydrated during the warmer months.
The charity, which aims to help the homeless, as well as ex-offenders and veterans, find employment in the hospitality industry, is seeking funding to enable it to produce 8,000 thermal flasks which will be branded with the Only A Pavement Away logo, as well as the logos of any sponsor companies.
The aim is to raise £40,000, which will enable OAPA to give a flask to every person sleeping rough in London, Bristol, Brighton, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. If sufficient funds are raised in the next few weeks, distribution of the flasks will begin at the beginning of July, a time when many homeless people suffer from dehydration.
OAPA is looking for individuals working in the hospitality industry as well as companies to back the campaign.
CEO and founder of OAPA, Greg Mangham, said: “The hospitality industry employs approximately 3.2 million people directly and 2.8 million indirectly. In order to achieve our target, we will need in the region of 1.1% of our directly employed colleagues working in the hospitality industry across the country to donate a minimum of £1 towards funding the campaign. In my mind, that should definitely be achievable.
“If companies want to get involved and donate a significant amount, we can include their logo on the flask and promote their involvement in the initiative.”
The durable flasks can be used throughout the year, so once they have been distributed, OAPA plans to launch a campaign to encourage the public to fill a homeless person’s flask with either a hot or cold drink, according to their needs.
Greg added: “As well as providing support for vulnerable people on the street, a key objective of this initiative is to raise awareness of Only A Pavement Away, so we can get the message across about how we can help the homeless find employment in the hospitality industry. In doing that, we hope to encourage the public to donate to the charity, which will help us get more people into employment in the long term.”
Companies wishing to get involved or financially support the charity through charitable donations are asked to register at https://onlyapavementaway.co.uk/get-involved/.
