Mercer & Hole (London, England) are helping local homeless people to keep warm this winter by collecting and donating 110 essential winter items for the residents at the Open Door night shelter in St Albans.
Partners and staff at the accountancy firm’s St Albans, London and Milton Keynes offices have been issued with a list of useful items, such as gloves, hats, scarfs etc. and are aiming to make a donation of 110 items to equal the number of years the firm has been in business.
The Open Door homelessness service, which is run by Hightown Housing Association, supports people who have become homeless and helps them to re-establish themselves in the community.
It provides accommodation and a hot meal for up to 12 people each night as well as a daytime drop-in centre used by around 20 vulnerable people each day, which offers a range of support and advice including housing and health issues. The outreach service works with local agencies to reduce the number of people sleeping rough, often bringing them into a room at Open Door.
Mercer & Hole’s Senior Partner, Paul Maberly said: “Open Door St Albans does a wonderful job in supporting the homeless within our local community. At this time of year homelessness seems an even more poignant issue and we will be pleased to bring a small touch of comfort to those in need.”
The Chair of the Open Door Charity, Joan Bailey, said: “We are delighted that Mercer & Hole have chosen to support the charity to mark their 110 years in business. Homelessness is a real and growing problem in St Albans, and this generous donation will allow us to give practical support to the most vulnerable in our community.”
Throughout 2015, Mercer & Hole have supported a number of local events and charities within the local community in recognition of their 110th year milestone.