Whilst coronavirus has affected the lives and livelihoods of everyone throughout the country during the past year one group of organisations have been badly affected, perhaps more than most – charities.
With donations drying up and mass sponsored events – such as the London Marathon – being cancelled many charities have reported being on the verge of closure.
Today, 16 November, Dr Luke Evans has welcomed the Government’s £200 million investment into charities across the country, and specifically those in his Bosworth constituency, through the Coronavirus Community Support Fund.
Dr Luke said “7 charities here in Bosworth have received emergency funding of more than £160,000 from the Government’s £200 million Coronavirus Community Support Fund, which has both helped secure their future but even more importantly allowed them to provide essential services to vulnerable people in our community.”
The 7 Bosworth based charities receiving funding from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund – which is targeted at small and medium sized charities are:
· Next Generation (£9,190)
· Feed the Hungry UK (£9,500)
· Hinckley Homeless Group (£9,492)
· Westfield Community Development Association (£10,000)
· UK Veterans Hearing Foundation (£10,000)
· Emmaus Leicestershire and Rutland (£82,446)
· Hinckley and District Work-Link Project (£33,005)
Dr Luke added “The Coronavirus Community Support Fund is a really important tool for helping local charities but actually forms just one strand of the Government’s strategy to help the voluntary sector. Overall £750 million has been invested into voluntary, community and social enterprises since the start of COVID.”
The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “Charities are there when we need them the most, and this emergency funding has kept their doors open during the biggest crisis for a generation.
“Our £200 million Coronavirus Community Support Fund has reached thousands of worthy causes in communities across the country, ensuring they can be there for millions of vulnerable people and families.”