Melissa Porter backs Shelter's Walk for Home event » Housing » 24dash.com

BBC ‘Escape to the Country’ presenter Melissa Porter is inviting her fellow Mancunians to take part in Shelter’s Walk for Home (WFH) event.

Shockingly, 2,180 households are currently homeless, trapped in temporary accommodation across the North West. WFH will raise urgently needed funds to help these families and their children fight for their rights and find a safe, secure home.

The 12km route will begin and end at Piccadilly Gardens, giving people the perfect opportunity to leave the car at home, stretch their legs and celebrate all that is great about their city.

The sponsored walk will take in famous cultural landmarks from Granada Studios to Manchester Cathedral and there is also a 5km option so everyone has an opportunity to join in.

Melissa Porter said: “As a property presenter, I’ve seen the joy people get from their homes, so I was shocked to learn that thousands of children in Greater Manchester are currently homeless, ruining their health, education and future chances.

"I’m glad I can help simply by taking a walk through Manchester and I hope people from across the city will join me.”

Shelter’s North West area Manager Martin Goodsell, said: “WFH is a fantastic opportunity to get together with family and friends to spend a healthy, active day out in our great city.

"We want to make this year’s event the biggest yet, so we’re urging people in Manchester to sign up to the Walk for Home and really make a difference to local people in the area.”

Shelter case study:

Angela, her partner and three sons aged 11, 10 and 18 months from New Mills, Greater Manchester are currently homeless, living in temporary accommodation.

Following an error in their benefit payments, the family fell into arrears on the home they were privately renting and despite trying to negotiate with their landlord to pay back money owed, they were evicted.

The family are currently homeless and the local council has refused to help them with social housing. Their future looks very uncertain as they try to find somewhere affordable privately. The boys are now traveling a long distance to school each day and are feeling very unsettled as they have no idea where they will be living from week to week.

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