Business join forces with Together Co in a bid to end loneliness this winter

Businesses are donating prizes for people to bid on via an online auction where all proceeds go to funding the vital work of Brighton-based Together Co in helping lonely and isolated people across Brighton and Hove.

The ‘money can’t buy’ prizes include a signed football from Brighton & Hove Albion; afternoon tea with Brighton’s mayor and an entirely fee-free house sale from estate agents Hanover Homes.

Jo Crease, CEO of Together Co said “This has been an extraordinarily hard year for those lonely and isolated in Brighton and Hove. Your support really does make a difference so please do help our ‘Bid to End Loneliness’. "

The ‘Bid to End Loneliness’ auction from Together Co kicks off on Thursday, December 3 with bids priced from £10.

The campaign launches as Together Co scales to meet increased demand for its services due to the onset of winter combined with the COVID-19 crisis. The first lockdown in response to COVID-19 led to the charity managing a 750 per cent increase in demand for its services to help those isolated, alone or in need of emergency food deliveries.

Richard Valder-Davis, Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s senior safeguarding manager, said: “Together Co do a wonderful job supporting lonely and isolated people across the city and I would urge our fans to support the online auction so they can continue their great work.”

Final bids will be counted at 8pm on Sunday, December 13 with more information on the auction and prizes at: 32auctions.com/bidtoendlonelinessTogether Co is Brighton's loneliness charity that creates connections to change lives. They do this through befriending, social prescribing and volunteering services in Brighton and Hove and by sharing their experience nationally. www.togetherco.org.uk