Heart of Bucks launches new campaign with support from Sir David Jason

SINCE 2015, Heart of Bucks Community Foundation has provided funding to individuals and families facing financial difficulties. Demand for help with bills, food, clothing and other basic essentials has increased substantially and in the last four years, the total distributed annually has risen from £40,000 to more than £800,000.

Given the ongoing hardship being experienced by many in Buckinghamshire, Heart of Bucks has set up Together Against Poverty – a campaign to raise funds to help those experiencing poverty, including food, shelter, fuel and digital poverty.

These grants will provide quick access to valuable financial support and help individuals and families out of difficult situations. Heart of Bucks’ unique system of referrals from Community Advocates – front-line experts – helps them reach those most in need and ensures all funding is making a real difference.

Heart of Bucks supporter Sir David Jason said:

“Every pound donated to this campaign will help someone who doesn’t have a pound to spare. For a few years, I have put my name and donated money towards the Heart of Bucks campaigns to support people who need help paying their fuel bills during the winter months. Heart of Bucks provides an essential lifeline for those struggling, but it also allows those who are fortunate enough not to rely on their winter fuel allowance, to gift it to this ‘community fund’. I would ask everyone to consider contributing to this local appeal in whatever way that they can.”

With this campaign, Heart of Bucks aims not only to raise funds for those people suffering today but also to increase awareness of the pockets of deprivation hidden within a country perceived as ostensibly wealthy. Research conducted by Heart of Bucks into the Cost-of-Living crisis found:

11% of children in Buckinghamshire are living in absolute low-income families.
163% increase in food parcel distribution between 2019 and 2021.
8% increase in Housing Association rent arrears and fuel debts between 2021/22 and 2022/23.
In 2022/23 29% of all crisis grants were for housing costs, which equated to more than £230,000.

Heart of Bucks CEO Henry Allmand explained:

“We’ve seen first-hand the need for emergency funding to help with basic living costs. Our work as a community foundation is to understand the needs of our county and respond accordingly. While we’re sad that the need for a poverty campaign exists, we want to ensure we’re providing funding to help improve people’s lives and encourage change.”

Heart of Bucks has awarded a total of £1.7m in crisis grants since 2020. In 2022/23 alone just over £800,000 was awarded. This would not be possible without the continuing generosity of local people.

If you would like to donate to Together Against Poverty you can do so online at totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/together-against-poverty or by contacting: giving@heartofbucks.org to arrange an offline donation.

November 30, 2023
by admin
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