First look inside new YMCA project in Norwich
 Supporters, fundraisers, dignitaries and neighbours were all allowed a first look inside the rapidly developing YMCA Norfolk Bethel St project to provide move-on accommodation for 40 young homeless people in Norwich on November 11.
The £4.4m project has been rising from the ground over the past few months and is on course to be finished by spring next year.
More than 50 people joined the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James, who chairs the Council of Patrons at YMCA Norfolk, and the organisation’s president General the Lord Richard Dannatt, the former head of the Army, for a tour of the Bethel Street project, Norwich.
Visitors took a walk around the site, which is part of efforts that have so far seen £622,000 of a planned £1m raised towards the 40 self-contained units for young homeless people.
And now the YMCA is appealing for the final £361,000 including £110,000 to pay for fixtures and fittings for the building and 40 flats.
Bishop Graham said: “It’s wonderful to see the Bethel Street development coming to completion. These new units of accommodation are going to help dozens of people at any one time find fresh security and increasingly independent living, often after really bad experiences.
Susie Knights, communications and fundraising manager for YMCA Norfolk, said that more than 1,000 people have already supported the project to date, many through the brick appeal in which people could donate £1 to purchase one of the 70,000 bricks needed to complete the development.
 “We are now appealing for local companies, organisations and individuals to contribute towards the various fixtures and fittings for the building. To entirely equip one flat would cost £2,277, paying for a single bed and bedding £268, a set of kitchen pans and utensils for one is £161, or a communal noticeboard £80. We are truly grateful for any support that can be offered”
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