MOTIVATED by rising levels of homelessness in London, the Simkiss family are training hard as the London Marathon fast approaches.
Keen runners, the siblings, Nathan, Chloe and Esther, decided to represent Crisis as their mother, Philippa, Industry Engagement Lead at Specsavers, has been working with the charity since December 2022, when the Specsavers Corporate sponsorship of the ‘Crisis at Christmas’ campaign was launched with the aim of expanding the range of health and wellbeing services offered to people experiencing homelessness via the charity’s nationwide network of Skylight Centres.
Inspired by this partnership, the trio have gained first-hand knowledge of how Specsavers is supporting people experiencing homelessness across the London region. They therefore set up a Just Giving page in November 2023 to raise donations, ahead of the London Marathon due to take place on Sunday 21 April.
In addition, their local Specsavers store at Clapham Junction donated £100 in support of the partnership with Crisis. The Simkiss Trio visited the store on Sunday 4 February and were delighted to meet Store Manager Graham Tritton who presented them with the £100. Commenting Graham says: ‘We really admire the commitment and focus required to train for the London marathon, especially as it is now such a high-profile event.
‘Also Nathan, Chloe and Esther’s support of Crisis is really valued, particularly as we have witnessed the increase in homelessness around the Clapham Junction area, over the last two years.’
With more than 250,000 people across Britain currently experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including sleeping on the streets and on public transport or in insecure and temporary accommodation, like hostels and B&Bs, donations to the charity are invaluable in providing support to these people. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, it is highly likely that this alarming figure will increase further, with many more put at real risk of homelessness as financial pressures intensify.
Crisis works with thousands of people experiencing homelessness, providing education, training and support with housing, employment and health. Through its frontline services across Britain, the charity helps people find a path out of homelessness for good.
Millie Bryant, retail director at Specsavers Clapham Junction, says: ‘As a team we are incredibly supportive of our community and supporting charities where we can make a difference, as is the case with Crisis, where the donations will help support those people most in need across the South London region. We wish Nathan, Choe and Esther a great day running in the London Marathon.’
Becky King, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at Crisis, says: ‘Everyone should have a safe home, yet the numbers of people without a secure roof over their head is rising across Great Britain. At Crisis, we work with thousands of people experiencing homelessness every year providing them with vital services and support so they can discover a life beyond homelessness.
“We’re so grateful that Nathan, Chloe and Esther have chosen to join team Crisis and raise money for us at this year’s London Marathon. The donations raised by them, and all of our amazing runners, will help us continue to be there for people as they leave homelessness behind for good. We’ll be cheering Nathan, Chloe and Esther, and the rest of team Crisis on, every step of the way.”
To support the Simkiss Trio fund raising for Crisis you can do so via their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/chloe-simkiss-1696243793619
