Principality Building Society has donated its unused maintenance vehicles to support the services of two charities and a community project in south Wales.
The charities benefitting from the donation are Welsh-based homelessness charities Llamau and The Wallich, and community-based project Free Bikes 4 Kids.
The vehicles will be used by Llamau and The Wallich to support their mobile outreach services, which include delivering hot food and providing accommodation support to people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping in Wales.
Mike Jones, founder of Free Bikes 4 Kids will use the van as a delivery vehicle, to transport the bikes he restores and donates to children and NHS workers. Principality will also be supporting Free Bikes 4 Kids by donating 82 children’s bike helmets.
James Harper, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Principality Building Society, said: ‘’As a member-owned organisation, we are passionate about supporting communities throughout Wales. We wanted to ensure the vans were put to good use and we are so pleased that the charities and community project can use the vans to make a real difference to the lives of people in Wales.’’
Jason Nancurvis, Mobile Operations Development Manager at The Wallich, said: “At The Wallich, we strive to reach people and help them wherever they are, adapting our services to respond to the needs of those on the streets. Principality’s van donation will join our homelessness Street Fleet; vehicles deployed around Wales to help get people off the streets, keep people off the streets and create opportunities.
“Whether it’s delivering hot food and accommodation advice to people sleeping rough, helping people move in a new home or responding to a global pandemic, mobile outreach is essential to connecting people facing homelessness with the services that can help them.
“It’s fantastic to see well-known organisations like Principality doing something for homelessness in Wales, especially offering such a valuable resource at an uncertain time – thank you, Principality.”
Mike Jones, Founder of Free Bikes 4 Kids said: “I still can’t believe the van was donated to the project. It was such a generous donation. It’s made a massive difference to the project and is looking great with the signage and bike racks fitted.”
Sam Austin, Deputy Chief Executive, Llamau said: “The donation of a van by Principality is so welcomed and so gratefully received, particularly during a global pandemic. It has been used nonstop, since arriving, by our in-house decorating and maintenance team.
“As well as continuing to ensure all our accommodation is in top condition before someone moves in, they have been busy moving around donations, PPE and other equipment. This has ensured that all our Llamau services continue to operate at full capacity, despite Covid-19, as the need for our services is greater than ever. Thank you so much Principality, this donation could not have come at a better and more needed time.”
