Charities celebrate with MP after funding boost
Two local charities have been awarded tens of thousands of pounds in funding to support their work as part of the Government’s £76 million Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund (CCLF).
Selsey Community Forum and Ukharvest received £21,157 and £66,497 respectively from the fund which was set up to supportcharitiesandcommunityorganisations at last year’s Spring Budget. The grants recognise the crucialrolethetwocharitiesplay delivering critical frontline services and the impact of recent increased demand and delivery costs. The Chichester-based Ukharvest works to rescue food that would otherwise go to waste andprovideseducationonreducing food waste and eating healthily across the South East.
The charity’s CEO, Yvonne Thomson, said they are “over the moon” to be awarded additional funding “in recognition of the critical work our charity does to supportthoseinfoodinsecurity”.
Msthomsoncontinued:“this grant provides valuable funding to meet the increased operational costs Ukharvest have faced in rescuing, storing and re-distributingsurplusfoodacrossournetworkofcharitiesandcommunity Food Hubs over this last year. It ensures this precious food is not wasted and can feed those in our communityonthetightestbudgets.”
The second recipient of the funding in the Chichester area, Selsey Community Forum, is a partnershipoflocalvoluntaryorganisations which seeks to identify and meet local needs – from moneyadvicetowellbeingservices. The charity also aims to guard thefinancialhealthoflocalvoluntaryorganisationsbyseekingnew sourcesoffunding.forumchair, Mike Nicholls, said: “This funding,forwhichweareverygrateful, will help us, with other agencies, tokeepourcommunityfed,warm and safe during this winter. The grantwillassistoursupportwork in providing warm spaces, debt, finance and employment advice and social interaction. We thank the Government for this assistance.”
MP Gillian Keegan has supported both charities since her election in 2017. She said: “It is wonderful that these two charities have received this additional government funding which recognisestheirbrilliantworkinour community. I’ve visited both organisations on several occasions to see first-hand the impact they have and regularly hear from constituents who have benefited from their great work.”