20 businesses received Shared Value Awards at homelessness charity Oasis Community Housing’s Black & Gold Ball last Friday (19 May). Reverend Canon Kate Bottley, Patron of the charity, presented the awards at the fundraising event, hosted at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.
PICTURES: See all of the pictures taken at the Black & Gold Ball 2023 >>>
The importance of Corporate Partners
“At the Black & Gold Ball, we celebrated the companies who support us throughout the year,” explained Hazel Ditchburn, Corporate Relationships Manager at Oasis Community Housing.
“Our corporate partnerships play a vital role in our work to bring hope not homelessness.
“You see, there are so many challenges in our society, so much darkness, that neither Oasis Community Housing, nor the charity sector as a whole, can bring all of the change we need to see on our own.
“By working together with businesses, with politicians, with everyone who will join us, we can build stronger communities, and solve homelessness. This is what the Black & Gold Ball is all about.”
Shared Value Awards
On the night, Shared Value Awards were presented to corporate partners of the homelessness charity, who are committed to supporting them in their mission to bring hope, not homelessness.
Receiving the highest accolade on the night was Leeds Building Society who won a Diamond Shared Value Award for supporting Oasis Community Housing in setting up a new project in Peterborough, which provides a home and support for Ukrainian refugees. Leeds Building Society also provided a grant of £50,000 towards Financial Foundations project in the North East.
After receiving the award Nikki Ayrton, Charity Partner and Community Manager at Leeds Building Society, commented: “It was an honour to receive the Diamond Shared Values Award for ‘reigniting hope and a future for everyone facing homelessness’.
“The award was in honour of our partnership with Oasis Community Housing for our work in Peterborough. A year ago Leeds Building Society called for help to turn the offices above our Peterborough branch into seven apartments to house Ukrainian families, which was made possible with the incredible support from organisations like Johnsons PSG who were able to attend the ball with us. Support from Oasis Community Housing has enabled us to be where we are today providing six families with young children a place to life which is safe and secure.”
Other businesses including Meldrum Group, OutsideIn, Consultiv utilities, Kings Secure Technologies, Modo Bloc, Modulous, NAWIC North East and Tees Valley, The Alchemist Newcastle, Approved Mortgage Solutions, Armadillo Self Storage, ClearVUE Business, Constructing Excellence in the North East, ForeverCare, FibroFind, Gateshead FC, Handelsbanken, HSBC, Karbon Homes, Lend Lease, Lowes Financial Management, Northern Print Solutions, Gentoo, Newcastle Building Society, Pepperells Solicitors, Perro Design and Communications, Richard Reed Solicitors, Robson Laidler, Tesco Extra Gateshead, Toomey Legal, Ward Hadaway, Wesleyan, Media Borne, Michelle Simpson HR Recruitment, MFS Investment Management, and SmartIT were also awarded with Shared Value Awards.
As well as winning their own Shared Value Awards, Muckle LLP and Naylors Gavin Black sponsored the event. Other sponsors included Lovell, Northern Print Solutions, Big Purple Productions and Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.
A successful night
234 people attended the event and took part in fundraising activities such as racing simulator game ‘Headlights of Hope’ provided by Racing Sims Northeast and sponsored by Helm, and ‘Tin Can Alley,’ sponsored by ATG Group. Attendees also had the chance to bid on prizes donated by local businesses in the auctions.
The night’s fundraising totalled over £33,000, a figure that will go a long way in helping the charity to continue their work.
Oasis Community Housing takes a holistic approach to tackling homelessness which includes providing crisis support, temporary and support accommodation, emotional and practical guidance and support to people who have experienced domestic abuse, and more.
If you would like more information on how your business could get involved with Oasis Community Housing’s work, as well as a full list of the Shared Value Award winners, visit our Workplace page.
Next year’s Black & Gold Ball will take place on Friday 17 May 2024 at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. An early bird discount of 10% is available on all bookings made by 31 July 2023.
Click here to book your seats or contact Hazel Ditchburn on 07869283728 to discuss sponsorship opportunities.