£1m handed out in grants

MONEY GOES TO COVID RESPONSE

MORE than £1 million aid has been delivered to families during the pandemic by a charity.

Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation has supported “frontline” charities and voluntary organisations through grants of between £500 and £10,000.

Made up of money from the National Emergencies Trust, companies and individuals, and from the Department of Culture Media and Sport, the grants have helped support the elderly, disabled, homeless and those in food poverty, facing financial hardship or suffering with mental health issues.

Beneficiaries included Leicester Emergency Food Partnership, a network of 18 food banks and emergency food providers, which received £9,736.

Mark Grant, of Action Homeless, which coordinates the network, said: “Food banks have experienced an unprecedented increase in demand. This grant will enable them to continue to provide their support to some of Leicester’s most vulnerable.”

Katy Green, chief executive of the foundation, said: “We are proud to be part of the rapid response that has delivered crucial services to the people who have been hardest hit by the pandemic.

“We always aim to distribute grants effectively for local philanthropically minded companies and families, and for government and other national agencies, and our small team has worked flat out over the past six months to make sure that funding quickly reaches areas where it is most needed.

“We have been overwhelmed by the resilience of charities, voluntary organisations and community groups, which have been truly inspirational in looking after the health and wellbeing of those so severely affected by the crisis, and also by the generosity of our donors.

“We give our heartfelt thanks to all”.