£3,000 Donation To Support Chichester Homeless Charity This Christmas

A Chichester law firm is donating £3,000 to a local charity this Christmas, as part of the firm’s commitment to relieving poverty and suffering among the homeless during the festive season.

Irwin Mitchell is making the donation to Stonepillow, as a share of the £39,000 set aside for homeless charities across the country by the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF).

The donation is part of a nationwide programme developed by the IMCF, an independent registered charity that has donated more than £2 million to good causes in the UK and £284,000 in 2018 alone since it was established in 1997.

In 2018, the IMCF donated £13,000 to homeless charities at Christmas and the success of what has become an annual tradition, has seen the amount given to good causes tripled for 2019, with Stonepillow in Chichester chosen as a major charity supporting the homeless in the region.

This will be the third year Stonepillow has benefitted from the IMCF Christmas donation, with the firm recognising the lifeline the charity offers the homeless in Chichester and surrounding area.

Stonepillow works with over 130 people every day, empowering them to rebuild their lives and find independent accommodation to call home. The charity supports people who are sleeping rough or homeless and want to turn their lives around.

With support tailored to each individual’s needs, the charity provides day centres, hostels, a recovery service and supported housing. They also have two charity shops which gives people the opportunity to learn new skills and access education, training and employment.

Hilary Bartle, Stonepillow Chief Executive, said: “We rely on donations to be able to help as many people as possible and a £3,000 donation means we will be able to do so much more this Christmas. As homelessness continues to increase, we appreciate Irwin Mitchell staff in Chichester remembering us once again at what is a busy time of year.”

Expert Opinion

“Having supported Stonepillow for the last three years, we are well aware of the amazing work they do for the homeless, not just here in Chichester, but in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton too.

We want our donation to make the biggest difference and have the most positive impact on the local communities in which we all live and work and supporting Stonepillow has proved a great way to do that over the years.

I’m sure they will put £3,000 to great use and we’re thrilled to be able to help them in this way and play our part in supporting some of the most vulnerable in our community at Christmas.” Paula James - Partner & National Head of Lifetime and Estate Planning