Generous Northern Echo readers have now donated more than £3,000 to our Put in a Pound campaign.
Launched earlier this month, the Echo is asking every reader to ‘put in a pound’ this winter to support charities facing unprecedented demand as the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit hard.
Thanks to our readers’ generosity this festive season, the campaign hit the £3k mark on Christmas Day.
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A grand total of £3,089 has been raised so far, and there’s still time to make a donation if you haven’t already.
The money raised will make a huge difference to the work of the County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF) and its Poverty Hurts appeal.
And the money raised so far will be matched with 50p for every pound donated, thanks to the generosity of CDCF’s existing supporters, meaning every pound donated is worth £1.50 to great local causes in Durham, Darlington and the Tees Valley, and the work of the Foundation.
Almost two in five (38%) of children in the North East now live below the poverty line, with forecasts suggesting 55% of UK households will be in fuel poverty by January.
Almost 32,000 local children and young people are being hurt by poverty in and around County Durham.
By donating just £1 you will be supporting families choosing between heating and eating, older people at risk of dying in cold homes, children without warm clothes, and many more.
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Michelle Cooper MBE, Chief Executive of the County Durham Community Foundation said: “This is one of the hardest times we’ve seen. Charities are struggling to cope but the need for services has never been greater.
“No matter how much you can give it really will make a difference this winter.”
Just £5 could pay for an older person to enjoy a hot meal and friendship in their local community centre, or for warm underwear for a child without.
£10 could buy a new mum living in poverty a pack of baby essentials so she can afford her rent.
Or £30 could pay for a heater for someone in end-of-life-care with a broken boiler to stay warm until a repair is arranged.
You can donate just £1*, or more if you can afford it, through The Northern Echo’s 'Poverty Hurts' fundraising page by CLICKING HERE or scanning the QR code.
*A small amount from each donation is taken as a processing fee by County Durham Community Foundation's trusted giving platform 'enthuse'.
For example, if you donate £20 plus £5 Gift Aid, 83p will be taken as a processing fee. Due to the Foundation matching donations, your final donation would be £34.17.
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