COMMUNITY organisations in the North-East are being urged to apply for grants to help vulnerable people survive the winter as charity campaigners celebrate hitting a £1 billion milestone.
The announcement that Community Foundations across the country have hit the £1 billion mark has been made to coincide with Local Charities Day today (Friday).
In County Durham and Darlington alone, more than £36m has been donated to local good causes since 1995.
The Chief Executive of County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF), Barbara Gubbins, said: “It is fantastic that the Community Foundation movement has now made grants of £1 billion but there is always more work to do and there is no room for complacency.”
Barbara highlighted the current Surviving Winter Campaign, which makes grants to community groups to help ease the hardship of the winter.
“Our work is crucial all year round but this is a particularly important campaign with the cold weather hitting hard,” said Barbara.
East Durham Community Development Trust Ltd is one organisation to have recently benefited from a grant through CDCF's Surviving Winter Campaign programme.
It will provide a lifeline to vulnerable people in Shotton, Wheatley Hill, Blackhall and Peterlee, who may be housebound due to the weather conditions, and provide an opportunity to receive a regular hot meal and a regular contact with trained volunteers.
Fabian French, Chief Executive of UK Community Foundations, said “At UK Community Foundations we’re proud to work with incredible local charities day in day out. We understand the needs of the communities we work in and direct grants to causes that will meet that need and will make the biggest difference.
“Please support your local Community Foundation and help us reach two billion pounds so we can continue to support local communities.”
It is estimated that 24,000 deaths resulted from the cold weather during 2015/16 and the Surviving Winter Campaign is a lifeline to many.
It was originally established so that people who did not require their Winter Fuel Payments could donate the money to those in greater need. However, anyone can now donate towards the campaign.
To apply for a grant or find out how to donate, go to www.cdcf.org.uk
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