A MEMBER of Bridport’s Pilsdon Community has been awarded a prestigious accolade from the building industry charity CRASH at their Patron Reception in London.

Dilys Hunt was awarded the Tony Denison Award 2014 for displaying ‘many of the same characteristics and gifts that Tony did when he created and developed CRASH’.

The community recently got involved with CRASH for a £1.3m project to convert old stables into single rooms, a kitchen annexe, an activities room and winter housing for cows.

They were referred to CRASH partner companies EC Harris and BAM, who were able to make construction savings for the project of nearly £200,000.

During the event CRASH CEO Francesca Roberts introduced a film about the recently completed project at Pilsdon.

She added: “This has been the year when we have been able to take what Crash does for homelessness charities to a new level. The project at Pilsdon shows what companies in the industry can achieve that helps people now, and also leaves a legacy for the future.” She said: “It is my pleasure to present this award on behalf of CRASH and the industry to a person who shows integrity, vision, tenacity and compassion all delivered with a large measure of humour and modesty.”

The Pilsdon Community started over 55 years ago on an 11-acre smallholding in the hamlet of Pilsdon near Bridport, providing refuge for vulnerable adults under community principles of hospitality, service and prayer.

At the reception, guests also heard from CRASH trustee and Argent LLP Partner Tony Giddings and CRASH chairman Ian Tyler, who both spoke about the incredible impact that construction and property companies can make by collaborating with the charity.

CRASH works to solve issues of homelessness by harnessing the skills, products and generosity of the construction and property industry, acting as a point of contact between industry companies and homelessness agencies.

Through this work the charity aims to help improve emergency night shelters, hostels, day centres and move-on accommodation.