Call for house builders to take part in charity event

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, and chairman of the charity Habitat for Humanity is encouraging companies from across the industry to join in the charity’s annual Hope Challenge event.

Habitat for Humanity’s Hope Challenge, to be held from 6 to 8 July 2012 in the Peak District will see up to 41 teams building and sleeping in their own shanty-town shack for two nights, hiking through the hills and completing other challenges - all in the name of fighting poverty housing.

By taking part in the Hope Challenge Stewart, and Habitat for Humanity, hope that the teams will raise enough money to enable over 400 people currently living in substandard housing to get a decent home. As companies in the housing industry and further afield face the possibility of a difficult 2012, Stewart is asking people to look beyond their immediate situations and to help families who are struggling in daily poverty.

Baseley said: “We all know that this is a challenging time for our industry and we are all understandably focused on issues close to home. But it’s also a very difficult time for people in parts of the world where there’s entrenched poverty and a lack of decent housing. We all understand how important homes are to our human development, and it’s up to us to do all we can to make sure that people have the decent and safe homes they need. Habitat for Humanity’s Hope Challenge is a great opportunity to get involved and play our part helping those less fortunate than ourselves. It’s also great fun and an opportunity to put your team working skills to the test in a stunningly beautiful part of the world.”

Baseley is the recently appointed chairman of Habitat for Humanity, an international charity whose aim is to eradicate poverty housing and homelessness from every nation on earth.

Last year 35 teams took part in Hope Challenge, who between them raised over £105,000 which is enough to help 425 people in the developing world to have a safe and decent place to live. The teams came from a broad range of backgrounds, with the housing and finance industries well represented.

To sign up to Hope Challenge go to www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/solidarity, or call Habitat for Humanity on 01295 264240.