Sunderland AFC’s official charity, Foundation of Light, is set to receive a £100,000 boost from Barclays to bolster its work with households who are in financial difficulty due to unemployment, or who are suffering from physical or mental health concerns as a result of, or exacerbated by, COVID-19.
In April, Barclays announced a £100m Community Aid Package to support charities that are helping people and communities most impacted by COVID-19. Alongside a colleague-matched fundraising initiative and the £10m pledged through their 100x100 Programme, Bar-clays is donating funds to charity partners across the UK, Americas, Asia and Europe to ensure help reaches those who need it most.
In the UK, these partners include those who are meeting the immediate needs of low-income families, those facing financial hardship, isolated elderly people, NHS staff and key workers.
The Foundation of Light is delighted to be one selected as of Barclays’ UK charity partners, chosen for the meaningful work they are doing with thousands of people and families across the region.
The £100,000 funding will support the award-winning community charity to connect with 5,000 households in Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham over four months who are facing, or who are already experiencing these challenges.
Thousands of care packages will be created to include food packages and resources for fami-lies/individuals experiencing financial strain, including access to free online cooking courses to teach them how to cook healthy meals on a budget, as well as access to free weekly chal-lenges to encourage people to stay active whilst staying safe.
Foundation of Light Chief Executive, Lesley Spuhler OBE said: “The £100,000 funding from Bar-clays, as part of the 100x100 Programme, comes at a critical time for us and for the region. COVID-19 has struck right to the heart of our communities and its impact will be felt for years to come as thousands of people and families across the region face social and economic uncertainty.
“Our region has some of the poorest communities in the country. Since the crisis hit in March, we have been working incredibly hard to support some the most vulnerable and ensure we can keep them physically and mentally active. It is absolutely imperative that we continue to help those who most in need; not only those in deprived areas who are facing an incredibly tough winter, but also those who have found themselves financially insecure as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis.
“As our charity partner, Barclays will play a huge part in ensuring we can continue our life-changing and critical work with these communities during the tough winter months.”
Judith Richardson, Barclays Relationship Director, said: “This crisis has had an unprecedented impact across the UK and we know this is an incredibly challenging time for many in the North East region.
“By reaching those most in need of support, local charities, such as the Foundation of Light have played a vital role in this crisis to date, and no doubt they will do going forward.
“As a proud member of our community, we are doing everything we can for our customers, clients and colleagues, and we hope that our partnership with the Foundation of Light will allow many others to access the help they need as this crisis develops.”
If you require support, you can contact the Foundation of Light in confidence by calling 0191 563 4777.
Find out more about the
100x100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme.
