MARCHING TOWARDS ENDING HOMELESSNESS

31 days of fundraising for CENS

We had an amazing day on Friday, meeting many of the incredible people who took part in our annual fundraising event March 4 CENS. Meeting at the shelter, we took a 2-mile walk through the streets of Colchester together, before gathering back at CENS for a welcome cup of tea, a slice of cake and a well-earned rest. Our fantastic sponsors Lanswood joined us with much-needed umbrellas for the walk, to meet some of the participants and to take a look around the project.

The highlights

And WOW! What a month March was! It was wet and windy and icy cold, but that didn’t stop our amazing fundraisers stepping up to the challenge of taking 1 million steps to help combat homelessness.

Here are the highlights:

  • 17 teams. 60 people.
  • Over £7000 raised so far.
  • Sadie did the full 1 million steps all on her own, getting up at 5am every morning before work. That’s 32,000 steps each day.
  • One team completed the challenge in just 2 weeks.
  • Another team did over 3 million steps.
  • Lindsey took 100,000 steps in one day.
  • William held a bake and toy sale, as well as completing the stepping challenge with his family, raising extra funds.

“It’s been a true honour to be part of this charity event. Today marked the kindness and generosity of what being human is.”

The weather couldn’t have been worse, but everyone completed the challenge, many with time to spare. In total, over 20 million steps were taken – that’s 10,000 miles, and 1,700 days of walking! The enthusiasm, determination, and commitment from everybody taking part has been incredible – we have been blown away by the support. 

A huge thank you to everyone involved

Many teams have also committed to fundraising throughout the event, and we have now raised over £7,000 with some donations still to be counted. So, a huge thankyou to everyone who has donated, as it makes all the hard work so worthwhile. 

With the rising costs of living, our food and heating bills have risen steeply, so all the funds raised will help us to keep CENS open and enable us to continue to support our residents in their journey towards independent living.

We have made some great friends along the way and are overwhelmed by the passion people clearly feel for CENS. The JustGiving page is still open, so if you would like to donate, there is still time. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/CENSMARCH4CENS

Huge thanks to everyone involved and look out for March 4 CENS 2024!

CENS Essential Shopping List

  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Sugar
  • Hot chocolate
  • UHT milk
  • Squash
  • Vgetable oil
  • Gravy granules
  • Ketchup
  • Mayonnaise
  • Salt & pepper
  • Stock cubes
  • Herbs and spices
  • Tinned fruit
  • Tinned/packet custard
  • Baked beans
  • Tinned tuna
  • Tinned vegetables & potatoes
  • Tinned tomatoes
  • Kidney beans
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Jam, peanut butter, chocolate spread
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Men & women’s deodorant
  • Men’s razors
  • Shave gel
  • Shower gel
  • Toothpaste
  • Cloths
  • Scourers
  • Washing up liquid
  • Surface cleaners
  • Floor cleaner
  • Bleach
  • Bathroom cleaners
  • Bin bags
  • Food caddy liners
  • Loo roll
  • Washing tablets
  • AA batteries
  • NEW single duvets
  • Pillows/pillowcases
  • Single duvet covers/sheets
  • Clean/good condition towels

Please no soups!
Thank you