Leading commercial property consultancy BB&J Commercial have adopted child exploitation specialists Safe and Sound as their charity of the year.
BB&J Commercial are based in The Wyvern and operate across the East Midlands – providing expert advice on all types of commercial and land.
The company have supported a number of local charities since they were established in 2010 and are planning a range of fund-raising activities in the coming year for Safe and Sound.
Partner Mark Richardson also recently became a Trustee of Safe and Sound which supports children and young people across Derbyshire who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation including online grooming, sexual exploitation, trafficking, drugs lines, modern slavery and radicalisation. The charity also supports the wider family and raises awareness in local communities of the dangers facing young people.
He explained: “BB&J Commercial are active members of the local business community and I was keen to get involved with Safe and Sound from a governance, education and fund raising point of view to help this incredible charity better connect across the city and county.
“I was delighted when colleagues agreed that we should all play our part in helping this charity to protect and support young people and their families in our local communities.
“As well as fund raising, we are keen to help raise awareness of child exploitation and highlight to our business and personal contacts that any child, anywhere, can fall victim to this criminal activity. It is therefore an issue that we all need to recognise and challenge in our everyday lives.”
To launch their year of fund raising, BB&J Commercial have joined the growing number of businesses and individuals who have sponsored a Hope Box which is given to young people supported by Safe and Sound to help them in their journey to re-build their lives.
The Hope Box, designed by Derby-based personalised gift company Colleague Box, is filled with calming activities, treats and positivity messages.
Safe and Sound chief executive Tracy Harrison concluded: “We are very grateful to BB&J Commercial for choosing us as their charity of the year.
“Their broad networks and their enthusiasm to raise money for the charity will help us support so many more young people and their families.
“The Hope Boxes that they have sponsored carry an important message to our young people and their families that they are not alone and are something that they can keep referring to and take comfort from in dark times.
“Our workload has significantly increased in the past year largely due to the increased vulnerability of young people who have faced social isolation during the pandemic.
“Our team works with these young people for as long as they need it with 1:1 and group support, positive activities, help to return to education or into work and practical support to help them move forward with their lives in a positive way.
“We are also working hard to support their families with the wider issues that they face such as financial hardship and mental health.”
For more information about the work of Safe and Sound and how to support the charity’s work, please visit https://www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/2021-support-ideas/ where there is also a wide range of resources for parents, professionals and young people themselves. Or email fundraising and marketing officer [email protected]
For more information about the work of Safe and Sound and how to support the charity, please visit www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk and follow on social media channels.
Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332 515102/07951 945665; [email protected]