£1 million of grants given out across Staffordshire during crisis
Charities and good causes across Staffordshire have received £1 million from a fund set up to provide support during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Community Foundation for Staffordshire distributed the money to 300 charities and voluntary groups over a three-month period, helping more than 100,000 people across the county.
The funding has come from local donors and philanthropists in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust. The trust, backed by the Duke of Cambridge, was founded by the British Red Cross last year to provide support in the event of national emergencies.
Steve Adams, chief executive of The Community Foundation for Staffordshire said the foundation had removed the normal rules of bureaucracy so the money could get to those who needed it quickly.
He said small grants of up to £1,000 were able to be processed within two working days, while some groups also received sums in excess of £10,000.
Among the beneficiaries was the Wombourne-based Jet Singh Trust, which supports isolated vulnerable or elderly people, as well as those with mental health difficulties.
The group, set up in memory of wrestling champion Jatinder 'Jet' Singh Chatha, who died in 2016 at the age of 32, used the £3,000 it received to provide weekly food deliveries during the crisis.
Cannock and District Foodbank used its £5,000 grant to meet the increased demand for essential supplies during the lockdown.
In Stafford, the Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance received £4,800 to provide craft packs to children with cancer. The group also offered adult sessions for their parents to meet online with others in a similar position.
Mr Adams said: “There are lots of examples of brilliant work being done by inspiring people.
"Existing foodbanks which have continued to deliver, brand-new community groups started to look after older people and the isolated, while cafes that closed used up their stock and distributed meals to key workers.”
Organisations wishing to apply for funding can telephone 01785 339540 or email office@staffsfoundation.org.uk
