Thousands of pounds worth of micro grants is still available to good causes helping communities affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Back in March, Southern Co-op donated £40,000 to a community fund which was set up to support the causes and individuals most affected by the pandemic. So far, 30 local groups have been awarded the grant from the Neighbourly Community Fund to help residents across Dorset, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, London, Somerset, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire.
Beth Rogers, Fundraising Manager at The Rose Road Association, in Hampshire, said:
“We’re so unbelievably grateful to the team at Southern Co-op for referring us to the fund and for the £400 donation.
“At Rose Road we work with children and young adults with complex disabilities from across Southampton and Hampshire. We have overnight respite care units for children and adults, community outreach services, a family support and advice centre, and play sessions too. For families our services can be a vital lifeline giving them a break from 24/7 care at home and allowing carers the chance to sleep and reset.
“During Coronavirus many of our families have faced even more difficult challenges. Thanks to our wonderful supporters and the emergency grants we have been given, we’ve been able to support families when other provisions across the country had to close, offer emergency placements and emergency overnight care, deliver shopping and prescriptions, provide phone and online support, and offer free day care to key workers who have children with disabilities.”
It is estimated that, to date, these micro grants have helped support more 5,500 people and provided more than 6,700 meals in local communities.
Local causes which have received grants so far include Wessex Cancer Trust and West Wight Men in Sheds.
Organisations based near Southern Co-op’s stores or funeral homes can apply for grants using their new or existing Neighbourly profiles via www.neighbourly.com/goodcause/ and using the referral code SouthernCoopPartner.
