Dragon boat racers help York homeless

Homeless people in York have been given a £1500 boost thanks to staff at York Housing Association who raised the money through competing in the annual York Dragon Boat Race.

A 20 strong team battled their way to 16th place but more importantly raised £2200 for charity of which £1500 has been presented to the new Arc Light Centre in Clarence Street, York.

The centre helps homeless people to rebuild their lives by providing accommodation and training in a range of skills.

York Housing Association worked in partnership with the City of York Council and Arc Light to build the new £3.9m centre which is now a flagship of the Government’s Places of Change programme, with many visitors coming to see how the building provides an exciting and imaginative setting in which people can live safely, and at the same time begin to deal with problems and turn their lives around.

Funding for the development was provided by Communities and Local Government and the Housing Corporation.

Jolyon Harrison Chairman of York Housing Association presented the donation to Paul Wordsworth Chairman of the Arc Light Centre.

Mr Harrison said: “This new facility is a credit to York and is leading the way in helping homeless people turn their lives round. I’m delighted that our staff have chosen to support it with their magnificent efforts.”

Mr Harrison said the balance of the money raised would be donated to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Mr Wordsworth said: “I am delighted that the staff of York HA have literally pushed the boat out for the Arc Light Centre to support our work. The donation will be extremely useful in providing practical help to our residents and on their behalf I would like to thank all the York HA staff for their hard work and generosity.”