Swindon building firm helps vulnerable young people

A charity which gives life-changing opportunities to vulnerable young people has received a £17,000 donation from Beard Construction.

Staff at Beard’s head office in Swindon nominated the Youth Adventure Trust as their chosen charity for 2022 and pledged to raise £3,600 during the year.

However, after a year of fundraising challenges which included nine staff completing the gruelling Ten Peaks Challenge, 14 taking part in the punishing Tough Mudder run, dress down days and a series of office contests, they had doubled their target and raised £7,000 by the end of November.

The Beard Charitable Foundation, a trust established five years ago to celebrate Beard’s 125th anniversary, added a further £10,000 to the donation. 

Over a two-year programme, the Youth Adventure Trust (YAT) works with children between the ages of 11 and 16 in Swindon and Wiltshire who, through outdoor adventure and a one-to-one approach, are inspired and empowered to build resilience and confidence, develop social and life skills and achieve beyond their expectations.

Beard’s donation will fund 13 youngsters through a year-long YAT programme. 

Beard’s Swindon director Jamie Harwood said: “ [Anchor] The welfare of our young people, and the communities in the areas where we live and work, has never been more important than in today’s challenging times. 

“As a people-first company, we share many of the same values as the Youth Adventure Trust. Our commitment this year has been a rewarding experience and has provided opportunities not just for the youth of Wiltshire, but also our own people, to challenge themselves for the better. 

“We have thoroughly enjoyed supporting the Trust in such an active way and I’m very grateful to all those who helped to raise these much-needed funds that will make a genuine difference to the lives of vulnerable children in Wiltshire.”

Philippa Cox, the YAT’s corporate partnership manager, said: “It's always amazing when a company goes above and beyond what you expect and Beard has done exactly that. 

“They have truly shared their values by helping vulnerable young people to challenge themselves for better. 

“Thank you to the Beard Charitable Foundation and everyone who baked, ran, dressed down, dressed up, entered competitions, donated and supported throughout 2022.”