STAFF from a Conwy-based housing association are preparing to trek 22 miles across the county as part of a national challenge raising funds for homelessness charities.

Cartrefi Conwy will be taking on their walking challenge on June 21, as part of the national “Hiking for Housing” challenge.

The challenge will see 11 Welsh housing associations take on sponsored walks, runs or cycles during June and July in a bid to support numerous homelessness and prevention charities, with Cartrefi Conwy supporting Shelter Cymru.

READ MORE:

Conwy establishment triumphs in Aberconwy ‘pub of the year’ contest

Man’s body found in woodland area near Llandudno school

Housing associations taking part are Tai Calon, Stori, Cardiff Community Housing Association, Clwyd Alyn, Newydd, Bron Afon, Monmouthshire Housing Association, Melin, Cartrefi Conwy, Caredig, and Valleys to Coast.

Louise Atkinson, walk leader for Cartrefi Conwy, said: “We’re really excited to be taking on the Hiking for Housing challenge for such a worthwhile cause.

“As a team we recognise the vital role that Shelter Cymru plays in preventing homelessness and defending the right to a safe home in Wales.

“Housing associations work tirelessly to ensure people have access to safe, suitable, and good quality housing, so we are delighted to be supporting this charity which very much shares our values as an organisation.”

Each housing association has been supported by the sector’s trade body Community Housing Cymru, which has co-ordinated the walks and brought in experts from team building specialist Call of the Wild and Welsh legal firm Hugh James to advise the participants on their events.

Staff from the not-for-profit organisation, which oversees Wales’s 36 housing associations, will also be joining different walks across the country.

Stuart Ropke, chief executive at Community Housing Cymru, said: “We’re delighted to support and help coordinate this fantastic nationwide sponsored walk event.

“We’d like to thank all housing associations and their staff who will be taking part in these walks, and wish them the very best of luck as they walk, run, or cycle the distance.

“Homelessness and housing support services are facing a real terms cut to national funding for the year ahead, which we are extremely concerned about.

“While we are continuing to push for further support of these vital services, we hope that these events will raise some invaluable and much-needed funds.

“If you are able to sponsor one of the teams taking part, please do.”

Those who wish to sponsor a housing association team can visit their individual social media pages and websites, where they will find links to their fundraising pages.

Community Housing Cymru is the voice of housing associations in Wales, with its members providing almost 165,000 homes to 10 per cent of the Welsh population.