Thousands raised to support district's most vulnerable

A Wakefield charity has provided tens of thousands of pounds of support to families in need during the coronavirus crisis.

The Community Foundation for Wakefield District raised £18,000 as part of their annual Fuel Poverty campaign, which aims to support vulnerable families faced with higher fuel bills through the winter months.

The money was raised through a mixture of donations and pledges, as well as a number of local businesses who volunteered their staff to spend a night underground at the National Coal Mining Museum.

But as the coronavirus pandemic hit, the group saw a large spike in requests for help, and were forced to rely on volunteers to help distribute support and supplies.

Increase: Food bank volunteers, pictured prior to lockdown, say there has been a rise in demand for support.

Murray Edwards, director of the Foundation, said: “We are pleased to be able to support people through the Council’s Welfare Fund at this critical time.

“Front line charities in Wakefield have been inundated with requests for support during the current coronavirus.

“They have undertaken a huge increase in door to door deliveries and started a befriending programme to help people struggling with self-isolation.

“We would like to give a massive thank you to volunteers right across the Wakefield district, to members of the public who supported the Fuel Poverty campaign, to our corporate supporters and our campaign partners Wakefield District Housing and Wakefield Council.”

The charity are also preparing to reopen their Community Giftbox in Trinity Walk.

Clothes donated to the Givebox are distributed to charities across the district, and offered to those in need.

Coun Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Resources at Wakefield Council, said: “We have seen a significant increase in demand for help with fuel costs during the coronavirus pandemic.

“This money will help support our residents who need it the most over the coming months, not only for those affected by coronavirus but also for people in crisis. The money will help to keep people warm and safe in our district.”

The Community Foundation has also set itself the challenge of raising more than £100,000 to support the district’s charities and volunteers through the coronavirus crisis.

The campaign, which has been backed by your Express and big names including Chris Kamara, Harry Gration and Kate Hardcastle, has so far helped to support more than 230 volunteers through lockdown, as well as providing resources to community groups who have been forced to move their services online.

See justgiving.com/campaign/Wakefieldcares to find out more, or to donate today.