The Coronavirus outbreak has had a huge impact on all of us, but it has become apparent that the outlook for our most vulnerable members of the community is particularly devastating.
At the same time, we have had dozens of local charities in desperate situations, having had to close or significantly amend services due to recent Government advice. This loss of services is both a risk to the beneficiaries and people of Surrey but also to the groups themselves, many of whom are now looking at severe income losses over the coming months which could jeopardise their future.
Additionally, there is a range of new local voluntary service initiatives being set up quickly to support the vulnerable members of society at this time by activities such as delivering food and medicines, providing information and telephone contact, and helping with child care for key workers.
The Community Fund for Reigate and Banstead is our Local Fund, providing financial support to local charities and voluntary services.
It was launched last year and relies on philanthropic donations from members of the public and local companies which is used specifically to address local issues. All its grants support areas of need in the borough of Reigate and Banstead.
In response to the current crisis, The Community Fund for Reigate and Banstead has just released the following emergency grants, to the value of £17,500:
Citizens Advice Bureau - £6,736 -Installation IT systems to enable the CAB to provide more advice to people affected by the crisis
Generation Church - £3,744 -Essential running costs for a Foodbank based in the deprived ward of Preston
Infinity - BLOOM - £2,900 -BLOOM mother and baby classes - remote support for parents in Redhill
Voluntary Action Reigate and Banstead - £2,500 -Contribution towards emergency voluntary sector coordination activities
Family Voice Surrey - £1,620 - Contribution towards the salaries of 11 coordinators, which will assist and train parents and carers of SEND children across Surrey - proportion to support R&B
However, much more money is urgently needed to support the mammoth efforts that are underway locally to ensure everyone has the support they need during this crisis.
The Fund is always looking for local donations to address local needs, but with public sector funding now stretched to the limit, it is now appealing to members of the public to donate to the Fund to help their local community through this crisis.
You can donate however much you want to at this link:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=communityfundforreigateandbanstead
More information about the Fund can be found here: https://www.cfsurrey.org.uk/fund/rbf/
Please be generous if you can.
Thank you