11 November 2025
Summary: The Molly Huggins Foundation launched with a dinner and auction headlined by three former boxing world champions, which raised £61,000.
Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) hosted the launch of the Molly Huggins Foundation with a dinner and auction at the Park Plaza Riverbank hotel in London on 30th October. The event, which raised £61,000 for the Foundation, was headlined by boxing legends Nigel Benn, Michael Watson and Steve Collins, who joined guests for an evening of celebration, storytelling and fundraising. Guests were joined by young resident and community leaders who are already making a difference, reflecting MTVH’s commitment to serious resident involvement. The event was sponsored by Capsticks LLP and was attended by over 16 of MTVH’s commercial partners.
The Molly Huggins foundation is MTVH’s charitable arm which aims to promote community investment and support people and communities facing challenges such as food insecurity, debt, skills gaps and educational needs.
Over the next decade, the Foundation plans to raise £75m through MTVH funds, fundraising and partnerships to invest in impactful community projects. A core principle of the Foundation is funding places with fewer opportunities, and partnering with local residents to strengthen their communities.
The Foundation’s work focuses on the following areas:
- Preventing homelessness – helping people set up home with the essentials to live well and providing access to financial services.
- Supporting children and young people – unlocking potential through leadership programmes, scholarships and mentorship.
- Championing social mobility – new initiatives to open the doors to education, employment and career skills.
- Creating community hubs – promoting health and wellbeing through safe spaces and practical resources.
In its first year, the Foundation has been fundraising through corporate donations and sponsored activities, including a recent leadership hike to Scafell Pike. The foundation is starting to make grants, and the Derby Food for Thought Alliance was the first new partner. The foundation supported their food security drive this summer.
The Foundation takes the name of MTVH’s founder, Lady Molly Huggins. She set up the housing association in the 1950s after being appalled by the housing conditions available to Windrush migrants and the discrimination which was commonplace in housing. The Foundation aims to continue her vision and the principles she championed – compassion, resilience and equality.
Mel Barrett, MTVH Chief Executive, said:
“The compassion and commitment of Molly Huggins, which led to the founding of our organisation in 1957 with a mission to provide safe and affordable homes for those who came to rebuild Britain after the Second World War, continues to shape our values and actions today, and her spirit of service inspires our response in times of crisis.
“While the world now is a very different place to the 1950s, the same challenges of homelessness, poor housing and discrimination still exist. The Molly Huggins Foundation will continue the founding principles of MTVH, that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive and live well, no matter their circumstances.
“We also believe that thriving communities build a thriving economy. Every home we build, every resident we support, every community we invest in strengthens local resilience and national growth.”
Below: MTVH Chief Executive Mel Barrett with boxing legends Nigel Benn, Michael Watson and Steve Collins
Below: A group of MTVH staff attend the MHF launch
Below: MTVH Chief Executive Mel Barrett addresses delegates
