Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust helps more local charities

07 September 2020

A further 15 charities are set to receive a total of £49,786 in the fourth round of funding allocation from the Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust Aberdeen Covid-19 Hardship Fund, it was revealed today (Monday 07 September 2020).

The successful charities are: The ARCHIE Foundation; Aberdeen Foyer; Social Bite; Aberdeen Association of Social Service (VSA); Abernecessities; Who Cares? Scotland; Northsound Cash for Kids; The Leanne Fund SCIO; Calico (Cancer and Luekaemia in Children Orientated); Nepalese Himalayan Association Scotland; Miscarriage Information Support Service; Russell Anderson Foundation; Organisation for Nepalese Culture and Welfare; The Salvation Army; City Hearts Aberdeen.

Since its launch on Friday 01 May 2020, the hardship fund has so far raised a staggering £301,598 for Aberdeen-based registered charities to help individuals, families and communities across the city experiencing severe financial hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trustees met on Thursday 03 September to consider 26 applications from which the 15 local registered charities were successful. To date 42 charities have benefited from the special hardship fund.

The funding awarded to the 15 charities will support the provision of food, fuel payments, hardship payments and care packages directly to individuals, families and vulnerable young people. These initiatives will support 218 individuals, 542 families and households, 524 children and young people and provide 833 meals.

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 have ensured a great many people have received vital support during these challenging times. The Trust is however keen to encourage more donations.

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett said: “The Trust is once again delighted to be able to provide funding to so many local charities to help those individuals and families in our communities in desperate need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We want to be able to offer a fifth round of funding however that will be wholly dependent on further donations. These continue to be challenging times for everyone, and I would urge the people of Aberdeen and local businesses to spare a thought for those less fortunate and in desperate need, and if you can, please donate to this very worthy cause. Every penny raised goes to local registered charities so whatever donation you make will make a real difference to local people who have been and continue to be impacted by the pandemic. Together we will get through this.”

Mervyn Donald, Deacon Convenor, The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen said: “Once more we have been delighted with the response to our Aberdeen Emergency COVID-19 appeal. “Charities have played a very important role in Aberdeen society during this pandemic and it is vital to support them. Volunteers who have worked tirelessly throughout this challenging year should be congratulated for all the time and effort they have given to the residents of Aberdeen who have really struggled with day to day life.

“Covid-19 has had a huge impact on people's physical and mental wellbeing and even more so in relation to the more vulnerable people in our society and The Seven Incorporated Trades Of Aberdeen are very pleased to continue to support multiple worthwhile causes.”

A Crowdfunder page on www.aberdeencovid19.org allows anyone anywhere to donate to this worthy cause. 100% of all donations received will go directly to helping those experiencing genuine hardship in Aberdeen due to COVID-19.

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.

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.