Morrisons cash for Smartmove

THE MORRISONS Foundation’s Covid-19 Homeless Support Fund has donated more than half a million pounds to homeless charities, including one in Calderdale, in just 12 weeks.

Charities such as Lighthouse in Leeds, Calderdale Smartmove, based in Halifax, and Bradford’s Beacon Recovery and CentrePoint each received a share of the fund which in just 12 weeks has donated more than £560,000 to nearly 100 homelessness charities in communities throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Charities working with homeless people raised concerns that if someone does not have a permanent place to call home, it can be difficult to selfisolate and maintain social distancing.

The supermarket’s charitable arm has committed a ringfenced fund of £500,000 to support homelessness charities across the 12-week period in the immediate aftermath of the UK lockdown announcement.

The fund provided grants of up to £10,000, to cover costs including outreach support for rough sleepers, provision of essential items for services in hostels, shelters and advocacy services for people without a permanent place to call home.

Sharon Thresher of Lighthouse said: “The grant has made a huge difference to our ability to keep offering support to the most marginalised and vulnerable people in society. Thanks to this donation we have been able to keep in touch with, visit and provide essential support and advice to people who are homeless, vulnerably housed and at risk of severe loneliness and mental health problems.”

ONLINE: www.halifaxcourier. co.uk