Diamond Build plc, one of the premier sponsors of the Sustainable Homes Index for Tomorrow (SHIFT), has gained Silver Accreditation for their achievements in sustainability and the management of their environmental impact. The Sustainable Homes Index For Tomorrow (SHIFT) is the only comprehensive environmental benchmark for affordable housing providers. It is supported by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), WWF, UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and the Mayor of London and the 37 members represent over one million homes nationwide.

SHIFT is an independent benchmark of the performance in environmental sustainability of an association. Being a member of SHIFT means striving to continually improve the way the member organisation tackles and manages its environmental impacts. It also demonstrates that an organisation is open and transparent to the extent of undertaking an evidence-based benchmarking exercise against a set of criteria. Members are accredited on a scale of Bronze to Platinum.

Following the success of SHIFT, organisations other than social housing providers have asked to be involved. As a result the format has been adapted to suit those organisations and this report is based on a SHIFT assessment for those organisations who do not provide social housing, but are nevertheless interested in similar sustainability goals. Diamond Build places already places much emphasis on environmental improvement, with all of the company’s projects and offices accredited to ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and BS OHSAS 18001 and Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme Approval.

Mark Rule, one of our key Resident Liaison Officers has been nominated by John Cryer, his local MP for Leyton and Wanstead, to be an Olympic Torchbearer for 2012. Mark has worked at Diamond Build for nearly 5 years as a devoted employee with strong values and dedication not only in his role as Resident Liaison Officer, but also to his local community. In 2009 Mark set up a charitable youth centre called Box4Life in Leytonstone, which teaches 8-16 year olds non contact boxing. Mark gives much of his own time to the running of the boxing club which also helps youngsters develop life skills as a counter measure to the lure of street gangs.

Mark’s local MP says “Mark has been a community champion for over 15 years working with the voluntary sector to improve and promote community engagement and cohesion.” He continues: “Mark is an inspirational community activist, someone who is always striving to improve the lives of local children.”

Mark’s contribution has also been formally recognised by one of our key customers, Homes for Islington, for his exceptional rapport and communication skills with the residents whilst on site at Fyfield House.

We are extremely proud of Mark and are sure you would agree we could all do with a few more Marks in this world!

Diamond Build, along with numerous friends and colleagues, completed the 3 Peaks Challenge on July 15th, raising over £20,000 (so far!) for the charity Children with Cancer.

All who took part from the base of Ben Nevis to the summit of Mount Snowden, and all the stages in between, rose to the challenge in their own particular way.

9.00 in the morning saw 4 groups of Diamond Build climbers set off at the foot of Ben Nevis. A mere 17 kilometres and 6 hours later, the groups were high tailing it off to Scafell Pike for the second leg of their challenge. This would be the darkest hour, literally and figuratively! The whole climb was completed in total darkness (and rain and fog!) A few slips and bruises later saw the gang arrive in Wales still grimly determined for the final push – a massive 726 metres (twice!), or 11 kilometres up (and back down!) Mount Snowden.

Congratulations to everyone who braved the mountains. You should all feel proud of your achievement. There is still plenty of time to go to the Just Giving Page and help celebrate their triumph whilst supporting the chosen charity – Children with Cancer. Go to www.justgiving.com/db-3peakschallenge, and donating could not be easier! Or go to our Facebook page Diamond Build 3 Peaks Challenge and see the pictures!

Over 15 & 16 July 2011 thirty two finely tuned clients and friends will join the staff of Diamond Build plc in their attempt to complete the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of the charity Children with Leukaemia.

Operations Director, Paul Hoskins, has already completed a Lands End to John O’Groats cycle ride, and a cross-channel swim! Needless to say, Paul is the chief fitness coach and mentor for what promises to be a challenging yet rewarding hike up these 3 mountains!

The three peaks challenge involves scaling the summit of Ben Nevis (highest peak in Scotland), Scafell Pike (highest peak in England) and Snowdon (highest peak in Wales) all within 24 hours - climbing 2,926 metres (nearly 10,000 feet) and walking 36 km (over 22 miles) in the process!

Please dig deep in both your hearts and pockets to kindly sponsor this endeavour. Children with Leukaemia receives no funding from government and relies entirely on donations from the public. For those children and their families affected by this cruel disease the charity provides invaluable support during gruelling treatment and in the uncertain future for those it strikes.

The Charity funds research in to childhood leukaemia and in the last three years has committed almost £10m directly, including the development of research facilities. Leukaemia claims the lives of 1 in 5 children diagnosed in the UK. Those that survive may be left with serious, long-lasting side-effects as a result of the intensive treatments used to save their lives. Work is on-going to develop treatments that are not only more effective in order to drive up the survival rate, but which are less punishing, reducing the risk of the side-effects associated with current treatments.

The challenge of climbing the tallest mountains in Britain is little compared to the bravery of those children suffering from leukaemia and their road to recovery. We need your support in so many ways and would hugely appreciate your donations.

PLEASE GIVE AS GENEROUSLY AS YOU CAN!!

Go to www.justgiving.com/db-3peakschallenge, and donating could not be easier!

Go to our Facebook page Diamond Build 3 Peaks Challenge and join our group!