YMCA Birmingham is asking local shoppers for their vote after being selected to take part in the ASDA Foundation’s ‘Green Token Giving’ Scheme which could see the organisation win £500 towards its work with homeless people in the south of the city.

The organisation, which is one of three nominated charities in ASDA, Barnes Hill, is hoping to win the funds for YMCA’s Magdalene Court residents and use it for more activities and involvement at the site.

Alan Fraser, Chief Executive, YMCA Birmingham said,

“Magdalene Court serves some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the city and most of the people housed here would otherwise have no alternative but to sleep rough.

“We want to help the people who come here to transform their lives and be all that they were made to be. Any extra funds we can get to do that will be greatly appreciated and used to provide extra facilities for residents at the hostel."

The scheme, which runs for three months, allows shoppers to collect a Green Token from the checkout and make a vote by placing it into one of the three nominated slots. Once voting has closed, the tokens are added up determining first, second and third positions. The organisation in first place is awarded £500, whilst the organisation in second and third places receive £200 each.

The YMCA Birmingham supported housing project which is on Bunbury Road, Northfield, is currently undergoing a redevelopment and now includes 64 en-suite bedrooms as well as a training kitchen where residents can be taught essential food preparation skills. The refurbishment will also see a training suite where residents can learn the necessary life skills and employment skills to help them rebuild their lives and move on positively; as well as a health suite to serve the needs of both YMCA residents and the wider community.

Each year the Asda Foundations invests over £1.4 million in over 4,000 good causes through our Green Token Giving Programme, giving back to organisations in local areas and relying on the people who live in the local area to decide where they think the money should be spent.