PENZANCE-BASED YMCA Cornwall has announced that thanks to tremendous community support the total raised for the Morris House Raise the Roof Campaign was just over £40,000.

Despite the total project cost of £73,000, the Board of Trustees made the decision to go ahead with the work before the winter as they could not risk losing accommodation for 20 vulnerable young people who have homes in the building.

Thanks to the generosity of individuals, local councils, charities and organisations, the whole building and the homes within it have been protected for years to come.

On behalf of Penzance Council, one of the many organisations who supported the campaign, mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds said: “We were pleased to support YMCA Cornwall with a grant of £5,000, which contributed towards the cost of replacing the roof of Morris House in Penzance. The swift action by YMCA Cornwall to get this vital work done has ensured that vulnerable young people will have a roof over their heads this Christmas.”

Damage on the roof of Morris House.
Damage on the roof of Morris House before the work was completed (Submitted)

YMCA Facilities Manager, Helen Wilson-Prowse said: “There are in total 172 supported accommodation units in the whole of Cornwall for vulnerable young people who are homeless or at risk and we provide 50 of them. We are sincerely grateful for the generosity shown by everyone who backed the campaign, whether it was with a monetary donation or a gift of auction prizes or their time. Without this widespread support, we would never have been able to replace the roof and the consequences of that are unthinkable."

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Nicola Hemsley, said: “The campaign has been overwhelmingly successful and we hope the community continue to support our work so we can look to re-build our reserves after this major project. We can’t thank everyone who supported us enough and wish you all the best for the festive season”.