THIS week ABP Southampton presented local charity the Society of St James with a cheque for £20,000.

Last year staff took on various challenges to raise money for the society from sleeping rough in the charity’s annual Sleep Out event and delivering Christmas gift boxes to the vulnerable, to completing the New Forest Triathlon and ABP Southampton Half Marathon and 10k.

Jane Smith, operations director at the Society of St James, said: “We are absolutely delighted that port staff have embraced fundraising ventures to raise money for the charity. ABP has been a fantastic corporate sponsor and we are very grateful to all those who took on challenges to help the cause.”

The Society of St James Southampton provides accommodation and support to over 3,000 people vulnerable to homelessness every year. Established in 1972 by a small group of volunteers, its ethos is to work with people to identify their needs and find ways to support them through access to sports, training, education and employment.

Nick Ridehalgh, ABP director Southampton, said: “We’ve helped some great charities over the last few years and we were all very pleased to have picked the Society of St James. The work it does supports many vulnerable people and if it didn’t exist there would be greater problems in our community.

“It has been a privilege for ABP Southampton staff to have supported the charity over the last year and we have no doubt the society will continue to make a difference to the lives of so many.”

ABP Southampton’s nominated charity for 2016 is The Honeypot Children’s Charity, it works to enhance the lives of vulnerable children and young carers aged 5-12 years old. Honeypot’s vision is for every child to make the most of their one chance at childhood, by providing children with respite breaks and outreach support.