Local charities to receive Aberdeen Covid-19 hardship funding named
12 June 2020
The 10 charities set to receive a total of £41,074 in the second round of funding from the Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust Aberdeen Covid-19 Hardship Fund have been revealed today (Friday 12 June 2020).
The successful charities are: Old Torry Community Centre Association; Northsound Cash for Kids; Who Cares? Scotland; Aberdeen SANDS; Tillydrone Community Flat; Befriend a Child; Aberdeen Bangladeshi Welfare Trust; Russell Anderson Foundation; Alhikmah Foundation and The Bread Maker.
Since its launch on Friday 01 May 2020, the hardship fund has so far raised an incredible quarter of a million pounds (£250,931) thanks to donations from members of the public, business people and donations of £100,000 from the Seven Incorporated Trades Widows’ Charity and £100,000 from Aberdeen City Council via the Common Good Fund.
Trustees met on Thursday 04 June to consider 20 applications from which the 10 local registered charities were successful in what was the second round of allocation of funding.
Grants range from £150 to £10,000 and all money will go directly to supporting vulnerable and at-risk groups including people experiencing poverty or ill health, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, unemployed people, children and young persons, older people and others affected by the pandemic.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett said: “It’s been a very humbling experience to see first-hand, while observing physical distancing, the amazing work being carried out by the local charities that have received funding from the Aberdeen Covid-19 hardship fund. Thanks to the continued generosity shown by ordinary folk and big business to the fund we are able to provide essential funding that otherwise these charities would not have received.
“The closing date for the third round of funding allocation is 30 June and I would urge local charities that meet the criteria to apply. The Trust is particularly keen to hear from local charities that plan to support Looked After Children, care experienced and vulnerable young adults at risk or minority communities facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic.”
Mervyn Donald, Deacon Convenor, The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen, said: “We are truly touched by the donations to date which have allowed us to be at this stage with the Aberdeen Covid-19 Hardship fund. These donations enable us to be approaching our third round of allocating funds. If you are a charity which meets the criteria and would wish to be considered, then please do not hesitate to apply. We are here to help as many people in the local area as we can.”
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen visited Torry Library, while maintaining physical distancing, to see first-hand how members of Jesus House Torry, one of the charities that received money in the first round of funding allocation, distribute much needed supplies to those in need.
Redeem Christian Church of God, Jesus House Torry, Aberdeen is a local church which has been serving the local community for over 15 years through worship services, outreaches including a breakfast and lunch club for the homeless; a foodbank; youth social club; children and teens summer camp and involvement in community activities such as the annual Torry gala.
Pastor Dapo Olanrewaju, Jesus House Torry said: “I would like to thank the Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust Covid-19 hardship fund for its support during this pandemic as it has enabled us to offer additional support to people in Torry.”
Donations are still being sought and a special crowdfunding page on www.aberdeencovid19.org allows anyone anywhere to donate to this worthy cause.
Any organisation or individual wishing to discuss making a sizable donation can email lordprovost@aberdeencity.gov.uk marking it for the attention of Garry Watson, Clerk to The Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust.
100% of all donations received will go directly to helping those experiencing genuine hardship in Aberdeen due to COVID-19.
The closing date for the third round of applications is 11.59pm on Tuesday 30 June and the Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust will meet in July to review the latest submissions.
Charities that wish to make an application for funding should go to https://www.aberdeencovid19.org/apply for further information and advice. The trust is keen to support particular groups that are at risk and may not be getting support elsewhere and would ask applicants to highlight if they plan to support Looked After Children, care experienced and vulnerable young adults at risk or minority communities facing financial difficulties in Aberdeen.
The special hardship fund is a partnership between The Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust, The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council. It was created following a request to the Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett, from The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen and a local businessman, for the Charitable Trust, to be used as a vehicle to create a hardship fund for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.