Following on from a visit by Becky Joyce, co-founder and director of Homeless Street Angels, Jonathan Winston made a pledge to give the charity a donation of £250. At the time of the visit, Winston Solicitors had been shortlisted for an ESTAS Conveyancing Award. Before the event Jonathan announced that if he returned with a trophy he would double the donation to Homeless Street Angels.
Fortunately, for everyone concerned, the conveyancing team won Gold at The ESTAS and Becky returned to Winston Solicitors to collect a cheque for £500 for her charity.
The whole firm were particularly moved by Becky's courage and determination to help the homeless people living on the streets of Leeds.
Homeless Street Angels was co-founded by Becky and her twin sister Shelley. They set up two and half years ago when their younger sister Abi fell asleep and never woke up. Their ultimate dream is to open and fund a day centre, named Abi House, which would give homeless people the help they need on a daily basis.
They currently make 100 meals every Thursday which Becky distributes to various streets in Leeds city centre whilst Shelley goes out to see homeless people who are around Headingly and Hyde Park. They have a regular outreach team who join them every week plus they also take clothes, blankets, toiletries, socks, sleeping bags, underwear, trainers etc. Homeless Street Angels heavily rely on donations and have been featured on Calendar, Look North, Radio Aire, Yorkshire Evening Post plus have a great social media following, all of which helps us to keep them afloat week after week.
They also work with Housing Options and Leeds City Council – all of which is done around holding down a full time job of running a cleaning business. By working with outside agencies they can get the homeless people into properties then help decorate, furnish and support their transition into a proper home.
As of October 2019, Homeless Street Angels have officially been granted charity status. All donations, support and volunteer offers are gratefully received.
