This month’s Fosters Solicitors Community Hero is Colin Bland, a volunteer and chair of trustees for local homeless charity St Martins Housing Trust.
The charity, founded in 1972, helps people in Norfolk experiencing homelessness and those at risk, providing both physical and mental support, having done so for over 50 years.
For St Martin's takeover day, they wanted to highlight a person who was unwaveringly dedicated to the cause, a passionate member of the community and a faithful Norwich City supporter.
Colin epitomises all those things.
St Martins CEO Dr Jan Sheldon said, “We rarely get to recognise the contribution our trustees make, so this is a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge Colin’s tireless dedication to St Martins.
“Colin is an exceptional chair, providing exactly the right amount of support to me in my role as CEO, never overly engaged in day-to-day activities but always on hand if a sounding board is needed.
“The relationship between the chair and CEO is critical to the successful running of a charity and I am very fortunate to have a Colin as our chair at St Martins.”
Having been a trustee for 13 years, Colin steers the strategic direction of St Martins, ensuring the charity stays efficient, moves with the times and continues to fulfil its mission of nobody needing to sleep rough in Norwich.
On being chosen as a community hero, Colin said: “St Martins is a fabulous charity that provides much needed support for homeless people.
“I am privileged to be chair of trustees of such a well-regarded organisation in the area.
“I was surprised but very pleased to be nominated as a community hero and I am looking forward to attending the match.”
The charity provides 254 beds every night of the year and supports 300 people at any one time.
Colin had an important role in securing St Martins House as the charity’s latest housing project on Thorpe Road near to the stadium, which provides 23 ensuite bedrooms.
To find out more about the charity and how you can get involved, visit their website here.