One of the activities involved staff from across the Aspire Group taking part in a mammoth makeover at Ashfields Court, a supported housing scheme for young people. Each communal room was refurbished with residents aged 16-24 helping out with the decorating.  

Sharon Battiste, from Aspire’s Housing Team, said: “We wanted to give residents the opportunity to be involved in the five day makeover. They enjoyed the challenge and worked well with all the teams.”

Sarah Capewell, 18 and resident at Ashfield since January, said: “The makeover has made such a difference. I’ve been painting, moving stuff and making toast for everyone. I like living here – it was daunting at first living on my own. But staff are always there to help and I have settled in really well.”

Will Nixon, trustee of the Realise Foundation, said: “I’m delighted to see how colleagues have really thrown themselves into Realise Week to show the local community how we can help give them a better chance in life.”

How the money was raised

• General Raffle - £327
• Stoke City Marches - £195
• Looky Likey Competition - £107
• Wii Challenge - £111.03.
• Cake Sale (Kingsley) £106.00
• Brick Kiln Lane breakfast £81.00
• Cakes and fun activities (TCL) £35.00
• Show home sale auction - £426.65
• Curry and Quiz Night - £305.00, including an additional £100 raised from a Champagne Raffle 
• Cake sale and hot dog sale (Indigo – Stafford) £100.20
• Cake sale (PM Training) £79.00
• Famous footballers signed photographs (PM Training) raised over £600
• Daniel Canavan grew a moustache for Realise (PM Training) – £26.15
• Tarot Reading (Kingsley) £48.00
• Table Top Sale (Kingsley) £138
• Baby competition and raffle (Kingsley) £68.00
• Dress down days £165.00