The money from the Katherine Martin Charitable Trust is to be used to fully fund the children’s charity’s Gap Homes project to provide purpose-built homes for care leavers.
Already eight homes have opened, and the Trust’s donation will take the total to more than 50.
The next 15 properties are to be built in Lincolnshire, Birmingham and Glasgow and locations for a further 30 are currently being finalised.
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The self-contained homes offer care leavers independent living with access to support from local Barnardo’s services, in areas such as budgeting and cooking.
Katherine Martin, who died in 1959, was a philanthropist, businesswoman and pioneering racing driver during the 1920s. She was involved in developing the Aston Martin car brand with her husband Lionel, who was a director at the firm.
The trust set up in her name has supported Barnardo’s for more than 60 years, particularly in the East Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire regions.
“This extraordinary donation from the Katherine Martin Charitable Trust is monumental for Barnardo’s,” said the charity’s chief executive Lynn Perry.
“We believe it’s the largest single gift in the charity’s history and it’s hard to express just how much of an impact that will have for so many young people.”
She added that the donation will provide “young people leaving care with the safe, stable homes they deserve”.
According to the charity “too many young people face homelessness when they leave care” due to poor quality housing and a lack of support. It adds that one in four people who have experienced homelessness have been in care.
Care leaver Alison, who has been living in a Barnardo’s Gap Home for more than a year said: “I was not a happy person where I was living previously as we would always have issues with things like the heating or hot water not working and mould.
“This would go on for months at a time, and our complaints never seemed to matter. Because of that, I ended up having to repeatedly move house.
“But, with Gap Homes, I have everything that I need and more. I truly appreciate Barnardo’s for their support and for changing my life for the better.”
Katherine Martin Charitable Trust chair John Richards added: “We believe that every young person deserves a safe, stable home, and we are proud to support Barnardo’s in their efforts to provide just that. Our partnership with Barnardo’s has spanned decades, and by supporting Barnardo's, we can honour Katherine's memory and contribute towards a brighter future for generations to come.”
