Aston Martin has joined forces with Centrepoint to raise £1,000,000 to provide accommodation and support to homeless young people between the ages of 16 – 25. Centrepoint is the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity and last week the great and the good were at The Roundhouse to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this extraordinary cause.
Performances from Rita Ora and Duran Duran entertained guests who generously bid on auction prizes. One of these was an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante with funds contributing to the overall success of the night. DBS Superleggera Volante is the most powerful convertible ever built by the British automotive manufacturer and its 5.2-litre V12 engine also produces 900Nm of torque, making it the company’s most potent production model to date.
The charity’s official patron The Duke of Cambridge attended along with Aston Martin’s President and Group CEO, Dr Andy Palmer. Both spoke with young people from Centrepoint who have just completed work placement at Aston Martin and who are due to start apprenticeships next year.
Aston Martin has a strong apprenticeship programme supported directly by Andy Palmer who began his own career as an apprentice. Speaking about Centrepoint and Aston Martin’s own apprenticeship offering, Palmer said: “Centrepoint is a great cause that gives young people the independence and opportunity they need to establish themselves at this critical phase of life.
“Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for people to develop their skills in a broad range of areas and it is a delight to have partnered and supported Centrepoint in furthering this cause. In 2018, Aston Martin welcomed 50 apprentices who will spend four years working and gaining a qualification.
“I personally believe in broadening access to apprenticeships and that is why my wife Hitomi and myself founded the Palmer Foundation in 2018. This privately-funded programme will create industrial apprenticeship opportunities for disadvantaged young people in the UK. As such it has been such a pleasure to work alongside Centrepoint in furthering this cause.”
Every year, Centrepoint provides essential support to 15,000 young people. To donate to the charity, please visit: https://centrepoint.org.uk/donate
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