An estate agency which has done much more than simply fund-raise has been praised by a homelessness charity for the way their staff have engaged with it.

Streets Ahead has been involved with Nightwatch for five years, offering both practical and financial support.

Staff who recently handed £5,000 to the charity make donations out of their own salaries and also work at night alongside other volunteers to distribute food.

They collect sleeping bags and blankets at their offices, and the firm was responsible for the printing of the charity’s Volunteer Handbook.

Jad Adams, Nightwatch chairman, described Streets Ahead as “brilliant”.

He said: “When they first got involved five years ago they asked someone from every one of their offices to come out and help, so they understood what we did.

“It was a brilliant way of engaging with us, both in letting us know who they were and making sure that their people knew who we were.

“Of course money is always welcome – we are never going to say no to a nice cheque – but the level of understanding and assistance that we have received from Streets Ahead far exceeds any monetary donation.

“They have been a model example of a business getting involved in their local community.”

Streets Ahead managing director Bob Hay and director Gary O’Hare say the company is committed to continuing to support Nightwatch.

O’Hare said: “It is a charity we are really passionate about.

“Both Bob and I, and 90% of our staff, have spent late nights distributing food and sundries to the homeless alongside the Nightwatch volunteers.”

The Croydon Advertiser has a report here