A local action group in Kidsgrove has received vital funding that will enable it to continue supporting vulnerable people with food packages.
Team Chatterley+ works with the Salvation Army to provide essential food supplies to some of the most vulnerable and isolated local residents in Kidsgrove.
The group was set up by a team of local volunteers as the UK went into lockdown and has so far delivered more than 8100 food parcels.
With growing demand for support, the group has now received a £1,000 donation from the Harrison Foundation.
The Harrison Foundation has supported a number of national charities and community action groups during this coronavirus crisis. As well as Team Chatterley+, donations have been made to a number of hospices and to the Big Issue to support homeless people.
Amy Stephen of Team Chatterley+ said: “We were so surprised and delighted to get the call from the Harrison Foundation and to hear that they’d support our efforts in Kidsgrove. The donation has come at the perfect time as we have just launched a new initiative called Top Up Tuesday. It will help us to reach further into the community during this difficult time with free food parcels for local people. The Harrison Foundation’s donation will be used to allow us to continue providing hot meals and buy some long-life products for our family hampers.”
Founder of the Harrison Foundation, David Harrison, added: “These are incredibly difficult times for so many people across our country. I’ve been isolated myself since early March and I know how difficult it can be to get out to the shops. So when I heard about Team Chatterley+ and how local volunteers had stepped up to help vulnerable local people, I really wanted the Foundation to help in some way.”
David Harrison also cofounded the national C-19 Business Pledge. The Pledge encourages businesses to support their local communities as well as their employees and customers through the coronavirus crisis. Since the UK went into lockdown, more than 300 organisations representing over three million people have committed to the C-19 Business Pledge.
Team Chatterley+ has received the backing of local MP Jonathan Gullis, who has helped the group on delivery rounds. Mr. Gullis introduced the group to the Harrison Foundation.
Mr Gullis said: “The work Team Chatterley+ have been doing throughout the Coronavirus pandemic for the local community is fantastic. They work so hard to provide the elderly and vulnerable with medical prescriptions, access to food, someone to talk to and much more.
“The past few months have had a huge strain on the people of Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke, but it is down to the help and support of those such as Team Chatterley+ that have made it less difficult and shows how amazing our community is. A big thank you to the team as well as to David and the Harrison Foundation for their support.”