Allen & York - market leading recruitment specialists serving the Natural and Built Environment sectors in the UK – have become an official friend of Julia’s House in Dorset, focusing on raising money for the charity and supporting them in the effort to help them continue their life changing work.

Julia’s House is a registered charity, dedicated to providing care for children with life-limiting conditions who are unlikely to live past the age of 18 years old. The house itself was opened in March 2006 and now cares for more than 84 children in their own homes and in the hospice.

Currently Julia’s House receives a small percentage of funding from the government, relying on aid from the local business community. Allen & York felt, during recent occurrences with the credit crunch and unstable inflation that now would have an even more significant impact on the lives of the children cared for by embarking on a new found partnership.

As a result of the credit crunch – costing banks and other financial institutions an estimated £503billion -, prices have soared from the general cost of living such as food to the drastic increase in fuel prices, consequently the same provision of care is costing Julia’s House more.

Efforts have begun for a fundraising event that will take place this coming December. Prizes have kindly been donated by Company’s nationwide to combine in a raffle and auction.

Mark Allen, the Managing Director, said that, ‘We have always taken Corporate Social Responsibility seriously and feel that it is important to support a local charity on more than just an ad hoc basis. By regularly donating to Julia’s House we are further enabling them to reach out and help more children and provide ongoing support for their families.’

Other close supporters of Julia’s House include the Richmond Group, Lester Aldridge, BAE Systems and Wilts and Dorset. Together with Government support, the local community and Allen & York’s efforts, £1.9 million needs to be raised throughout 2008.

Besides general funds that will help on a daily basis, support can be allocated to specific projects such as the building and extending of Julia’s House. Nurses can be sponsored to increase the number of care hours that would otherwise be limited due to the charity’s restricted financial position.

‘Working closely with members of staff at Julia’s House allows us to give back to the local community.’ Mark Allen continues by saying, ‘Members of staff at Allen & York will also be able to see how their support is helping by readily being able to visit the hospice in Dorset.’