TO HELP tackle homelessness, the Acorn Group has joined housing charity Shelter's Raise the Roof campaign.

The campaign is a drive to raise awareness and funds for the 130,000 officially homeless children in the UK - living in temporary accommodation such as hostels and bed and breakfasts, victims of spiralling house prices and a desperate shortage of social housing - and the estimated 1.6 million children currently living in sub-standard housing.

Shelter says these unstable environments can lead children to develop physical and mental health problems and families moving from one temporary home to another six times a year could be reducing their life expectancy.

Shelter launched the national campaign last year with the aim to raise £1m in 12 months. To help the charity achieve the target, what house.co.uk got involved.

The website has been enlisting more support by approaching estate agents and offering in exchange for a monthly donation to Raise the Roof, the resource of listing their available properties online with whathouse.co.uk Acorn says estate agents know all about affordability and housing, and the rise in house prices has meant first-time buyers and second time-buyers cannot often afford to move on. But those who pay the dearest price are the children living in sub- standard accommodation.

Neil Louth, managing director of The Acorn Group, said as soon as he became aware of the seriousness of the situation, the agency had to act He said: "I was shocked to learn in the 21st Century thousands of children go to bed without a home to call their own.

"We were more than happy to help in any way we can when we learned of the situation. We were asked to list our properties on the website whathouse.co.uk for free and make a contribution to the appeal.

"As a large company, we have a responsibility to contribute to finding a solution to problems like these in any way we can."

Neil added: "We feel it is our responsibility to support any worthy charities and local organisations as we can and currently sponsor and work closely with Langley Park School for Boys, Park Langley Tennis Club, Bromley Tennis Club, Hayes School, Eltham College, Colfes School, Beckenham Round Table and many more.

"Raise the Roof is a great campaign and we urge other agents to become involved. We admire the approach whathouse has taken as they, like us, see the benefit in donating where possible. It's a great cause and not only does the charity benefit from listing on whathouse, but so do our vendors."