How A Yorkshire Housebuilder Is Helping Local Families and The Construction Industry with A £20,000 Donation

Ever walked past a building site and just seen cranes and scaffolding? It's easy to forget that the companies behind them are made up of people who live in and care about their local areas. Sometimes, a company does something that really makes you stop and think.

On August 18, 2025, the Yorkshire housebuilder Keepmoat did just that. They announced a massive £20,000 donation, split between two incredible charities that are doing vital work right on their doorstep. This wasn't just about writing a cheque; it was about supporting families going through the toughest times and looking after the wellbeing of workers in the construction industry itself.

More than just a day at the races

So, where did this huge sum of money come from? It all started with a special event hosted by the commercial team at Keepmoat's Yorkshire West division. They organised a fantastic day at the famous York Racecourse, not just for a bit of fun, but with a serious goal in mind. By selling tickets and tables, and holding raffles throughout the day, they managed to raise an amazing £18,503.40. But they didn't stop there.

The company decided to round up the figure, adding their own money to make sure the final donation was a clean £20,000. That meant each charity would receive a brilliant £10,000 boost to their funds. It's a perfect example of how a fun event can be used to generate serious funds for causes that matter to local communities.

A helping hand for families facing childhood cancer

One of the two charities to receive a £10,000 donation is PACT, which stands for Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia. Based in Sheffield, this charity has been a lifeline for families for years. Imagine your child is seriously ill with childhood cancer. On top of the emotional rollercoaster, you might have to travel miles for treatment, spending weeks or months away from home. PACT steps in to make things a little bit easier. They provide a 'Home from Home' - a property near Sheffield Children's Hospital where families can stay for free. This means parents can be close to their child without worrying about hotel bills. The donation from Keepmoat helps fund these essential facilities.

This isn't a new friendship, either. The housebuilder has been supporting PACT for over 16 years. Over that time, their help has funded everything from family breaks in holiday caravans to Christmas parties for the children. These things might sound small, but for families dealing with childhood cancer, these moments of normality and fun are everything. They offer a bit of light during a very dark time. This long-term commitment shows that the support is about more than just a one-off donation; it's a genuine partnership built over many years.

Beryl Welburn, the Coordinator at PACT, shared her thanks for the support: "PACT would like to thank everyone at Keepmoat Yorkshire West Regional Division for their very kind and generous donation of £10,000.00. Through their hard work and huge efforts, the race day at York Races was a tremendous success and very much enjoyed by all those who were fortunate enough to attend."

She added, "Keepmoat have supported PACT for over 16 years which is the most wonderful thing they could do for our charity. In the past the funds raised have been used to run our caravans, fund our children's Christmas party, helped with the running costs of the charity house as well as providing trips and treats for the children and their families. We are so grateful that you have been so involved with PACT and helped us in so many ways."

Building support in the construction industry

The other £10,000 went to the Lighthouse Charity, an organisation with a very different but equally important mission. The construction industry can be a tough environment to work in. It's physically demanding, the hours can be long, and the pressure is often high. This can take a toll on people's mental health and wellbeing. The Lighthouse Charity is dedicated to providing a safety net for construction workers and their families across the UK and Ireland. They offer emotional, physical, and financial support whenever it's needed.

This could mean providing crisis support for someone going through a hard time, or improving access to mental health resources so people can get help before things reach a breaking point. Keepmoat's commitment goes beyond this donation. The housebuilder recently signed the Building Mental Health Charter, a pledge to improve mental health support within the industry. As part of this, they've promised to train at least 50 mental health first aiders by the end of 2025. Think of them as first aiders for the mind - people on site who are trained to spot the signs that someone is struggling and can offer a listening ear and direct them to professional help. It's all about creating a culture where it's okay to talk about mental health.

Sarah Bolton, the CEO of the Lighthouse Charity, highlighted the impact of this support: "Keepmoat's commitment to making a difference is amazing. Their continued support helps us to deliver vital emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to our construction community. They're also ensuring that there is on site support for local teams, providing a safe space for people to start open conversations about any issue they are struggling with."

Beyond bricks and mortar

What this all shows is a company looking to do more than just its day job. As a major housebuilder, Keepmoat is literally building communities, but this donation shows they are also investing in the people within them. Both of these charities do incredible work, helping families navigate the unimaginable challenge of childhood cancer and providing a crucial support system for the construction industry. The funds will ensure that PACT can continue offering its vital facilities and that the Lighthouse Charity can expand its wellbeing services.

Warren Thompson, the Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Yorkshire West, summed it up perfectly: "As a company, we're driven to go beyond bricks and mortar and make a real difference to local communities. Both of these charities are close to our hearts, and it is a true privilege to support them. Supporting PACT and The Lighthouse Charity means helping families through incredibly difficult times, whether that's dealing with childhood cancer or mental health challenges in our industry." This significant donation is a powerful reminder that building a strong community is just as important as building strong houses.