Member Article

Dorset housebuilder joins in the festive fun and donates more than £2,500 to Julia’s House

A Dorset housebuilder has taken part in an annual Santa Dash in aid of Julia’s House and has donated more than £2,500 to the children’s hospice charity.

Barratt Homes, which is building new homes across the county, entered a team of 10 for the 5k fun run on Sunday 27th November.

Braving the grey November day, the team, led by Megan Hamlyn, Marketing Manager for Barratt Homes’ Southampton Division, joined 50 fellow runners, joggers and walkers to run along the beach from Bournemouth to Boscombe Pier, while dressed in their finest Santa suits.

Adults, children and even dogs took part and money raised from the event, which was held in partnership with Bournemouth Christmas Market, is going towards helping support the families of seriously ill children from the local area, cared for by Julia’s House.

Megan said: “At Barratt Homes, we are committed to supporting organisations in the areas where we are building. We want to ensure our work creates a positive legacy that helps local communities to thrive.”

Barratt Homes raised £130 through the teams’ own Just Giving Page, but also handed over a cheque for £2,500 to the hospice as part of its commitment to supporting community and charity projects in the area.

“Our fundraising initiatives go deeper than just sending a cheque” Megan added. “We want to go out in person to take part in events such as this Santa Dash, and get to know the people who live in the areas that we are working in.

“It was great fun and we look forward to returning next year!”

Julia’s House is located in Corfe Mullen, Dorset and Devizes, Wiltshire and is a hospice for children with life-limiting, life-threatening or terminal conditions.

The majority of the children who are cared for by Julia’s House are unlikely to live beyond the age of 18.

Sarah Agnew, Events Fundraiser for Julia’s House, said: “This is our first Santa Dash on Bournemouth Seafront and we were very excited to have Barratt Homes on board.

“The Santa Dash is a great way to raise money while having a lot of fun along the way. We are so proud of everybody who took part – they all looked fantastic in their Santa suits and really got into the festive spirit.”

Barratt Homes is building new homes across Dorset, including at Quarter Jack Park in Wimborne and at Compass Point in Swanage.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .