Earl pleads for help as charity donations dry up and delivery van needs repairs
HE HAS HELPED OUT 5,000 FAMILIES BUT HAS RECEIVED ONLY £15 IN PAST MONTH
A SELF-funded charity owner has called on the Derbyshire community to help get his van back on the road after donations to his cause dried up.
Earl Richards, 38, from Sinfin, set up Audrey’s Charity four years ago and believes he has helped more than 5,000 families, but has only received £15 in contributions over the past month.
He aims to help those who are financially struggling and victims of domestic abuse by travelling around in the charity’s van to deliver items to those in need.
But Earl’s van now needs repairing, and the recent depletion in donations means the charity cannot afford the costs.
The dad-of-four said: “If a bit of money was coming in (to the charity) monthly, I wouldn’t have to worry about the van, but it’s needed brake pads for the past couple of weeks and is due an MOT.
“When I set up the charity, it was more to help people become sustainable, instead of something that they come to rely on. We’ve helped some people maybe four times and even if they just donated a pound back, it would help so much.
“Obviously, I don’t want to judge people’s money situation but even if five people just donated a pound, then that £5 could go to someone who desperately needs dry food.”
Earl, who used to be child social worker but had to leave the job due to a head injury he sustained six weeks ago while breaking up a fight between two children, has been working at a warehouse since last Thursday.
He is currently using his own car to complete the charity work in his spare time.
He will be taking the van, which was originally purchased through crowdfunding, into Woodbine Garage in Sinfin today for new brake pads and an MOT, which he is yet to be given a quote for..
Audrey’s Charity has been a registered organisation since March this year. The inspiration for its formation was Earl’s mother, who he named the charity after.
“If I can be anything like her I will have achieved something in life,” he said.
Rosemarie supports Earl as an administration volunteer at the charity. She is currently unable to work due to disability but has been assisting Earl full time for the past two years.
The mum from Chellaston said: “This Christmas we’re really looking to get some donations in, whether its toys or winter clothing, everything helps..
“He’s such an amazing guy, he’s got small kids at home and he hardly see’s them because he’s always out suppor ting people.
“He’s such a good guy, he’s one in a million, he really is.”
She said that Earl is currently trying to pay his mortgage and support his family alongside all his charity work.
Antony Churchill, from Derbyshire is one of the people Audrey’s Charity has supported this year. The 29 year-old is a full-time stayat-home dad to his two-month old daughter. The charity provided the new dad with a washing machine to clean his daughter’s clothes earlier this week.
Rosemarie had to arrange for someone else to deliver the appliance as Earl could not fit it in his car.
Anthony said: “The charity is just fantastic. They are amazing people and they’ve really, really helped me.
“Before I was spending £11 a week on washing at laundry rooms, and I didn’t really have that £11. “But now I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to wash my baby’s clothes.” Earl hopes that more people will come forward to donate whatever they can, whether it be money, clothes or food, so that he can continue his work.
He would like to thank all those who are currently supporting the charity. These include his administrator Rosemarie, Kenny Stockbrook who raised money for Earl to take his family on holiday, Natasha Cover at Community Action Derby for believing in the charity, Craig Fellows for previously helping with van repairs free of charge, Warren Muir and Rich Vickers for their help, and his mum for being his constant inspiration.
The charity is just fantastic. They are amazing people and they’ve really, really helped me. Antony Churchill