MARLBOROUGH Downs and homeless charity Doorway have received a funding boost from Devizes business Cardwave through their monthly charity donation

Cardwave’s first £100 donation of 2016 will be split between the Marlborough Downs Nature Enhancement Partnership, and Doorway based in Chippenham.

The charities were chosen by CFO and company secretary, Anne Tew. She said: “Homelessness is often an invisible issue, or one with a terrible stigma attached to it. Doorway do all sorts of things to minimise the damage caused by homelessness and social exclusion.”

In their drop-in sessions, Doorway provide meals, showering and laundry facilities, and one-to-one support. Doorway also offers activities such as creative writing and music to increase the motivation and self-worth of the people who use their services.

They do not charge for the services they offer the homeless, and rely on donations in order to continue operating. Last Saturday, at St Andrew’s Churchyard in Chippenham, they held a sleep out event to increase awareness and raise funds.

The Marlborough Downs Nature Enhancement Partnership supports the biodiversity and ecosystem of the Marlborough Downs by creating and improving habitats for animals. Examples of this include creating dewponds, controlling weeds, and planting nectar-rich flowers to increase butterfly numbers.

In order to promote best practices of wildlife management, and to enthuse people about the beauty of the Marlborough Downs, the scheme holds events and activities, allowing better public access to the landscape.