Andrews, the southern based chain of agents owned by charities, is to buy at least one home a year for young adults leaving care. Altogether it will buy 50 homes.

The initiative marks Andrews’ 70^th anniversary.

The firm was founded by Christian philanthropist Cecil Jackson-Cole, founder of Oxfam, Action Aid and Help the Aged.

When he founded Andrews, it was with the express aim of making it as commercially successful as possible, so that it could raise as much money as it could for charity.

Its new Project 70 initiative is in that spirit.

While Andrews said that it could take 50 years to buy all 50 homes, it hopes to do so sooner.

As well as being given a home over their head, care-leavers between 16 and 25 will be given support in finding work or training.

The 50 properties will be bought across the entire footprint of the Andrews network.

Chief executive Michael Robson said: “We were keen to celebrate our 70^th anniversary in a meaningful way that reminds those within the business, and also the wider communities where we operate, of the foundations on which our business was formed and the unique ownership structure that remains to this day.”

Staff at Andrews will be involved with the fundraising.