BUSINESSES in Swindon are supporting a local charity to help people off the streets for good.

Members of the Businesses Against Homeless network attended a fundraiser by Threshold Housing Link, aiming to bring companies together to help fund more innovative and long-lasting solutions to homelessness.

Among the attendees were Metrobank, Nationwide and Primary Homes & Lettings.

Speaking at the event Graeme Willis, Threshold’s CEO, said: “We need to innovate. It can’t just be a race to the bottom providing cheaper and cheaper, and less safe, services.

“We know that homelessness is not inevitable and if it happens it shouldn’t be more than a short-term thing.”

Michael Keenan, Threshold’s business and social impact manager, and organiser added: “My aim was to bring together local business leaders and citizens who are committed to supporting the aims of Threshold in order that we can unify and consider a more dynamic approach of sustained partnerships to tackle the tragedy of increasing numbers of homeless persons in Swindon.

“I intend to reach out to more business leaders and would welcome any offers of support, be it through services, potential use of facilities, or through financial contributions”.

Primary Homes & Lettings, a family-run business which donate 10 per cent of its sales to Threshold, handed over a cheque for £2,000 on the night.

Partner Steve Graham, who runs the business with Dean Armstrong and wife Dawn Graham told the Adver: “We wanted to get a little bit more involved. The housing situation in Swindon is getting worse and worse.

“It’s alright selling houses for everybody but some people haven’t even got a house or a roof over their head, so we wanted to do something for them as well. It would have been a bigger cheque because most of our sales will go through this month, but we’ll do it again in another six months."