Betteridge and Milsom partnership with Porchlight: a year of meaningful impact

At b&m, supporting the communities around us is an essential part of who we are. When it came to selecting our Charity of the Year, Porchlight’s work stood out immediately. Their commitment to helping people across Kent to rebuild their lives aligned closely with our own values — particularly our focus on people first, partnership, and creating a better future. We knew that by supporting Porchlight, we could help make a tangible difference to people at some of the most critical points in their lives.

Throughout the year, our team threw themselves into a range of fundraising activities. From the charity quiz to sky-dives, half marathons, and in-office fundraising challenges, there was a real sense of collective effort and enthusiasm.

Staff across all levels of the business got involved, with many saying it was not only fun, but also a powerful reminder of how small actions can add up to something much bigger. Dom Mulford, our charity lead reflected:

“Knowing that the money we raised could help someone attend a job interview, or even prevent a family from becoming homeless, made every effort feel so worthwhile.”

Our fundraising efforts contributed towards essential support for people moving forward with their lives — from providing clothing for interviews, to helping pay for rent deposits, furniture, and travel costs. Just as importantly, they helped Porchlight offer ongoing support to people struggling to maintain their tenancies, preventing homelessness before it could take hold. It’s been humbling to know that the funds raised could, for example, enable five people to remain secure in their homes for a month — a life-changing impact.

Stories like Mariah’s and Jacqui’s bring this work to life. Reading about Mariah finding the stability she needed to rebuild her confidence, or Jacqui moving into a safe, permanent home after a period of crisis, helped connect our team even more deeply to the cause. These stories put real faces to the difference we were helping to make and inspired us to keep going.

For b&m, the partnership with Porchlight has been much more than a fundraising initiative — it has been a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, community, and action. It’s brought our teams closer together, opened conversations about the realities of homelessness, and reaffirmed our commitment to making a positive social impact wherever we can.

We are incredibly proud to have supported Porchlight’s vital work and to have played a small part in helping people move towards brighter, more secure futures. Although the year of formal partnership may have ended, the lessons we have learned and the passion we have developed for Porchlight’s mission will continue to stay with us.

Inspired by Betteridge and Milsom’s journey with Porchlight?
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