Members of the Hammersmith Community Gardens Association which received a grant of £750
Another eight community charities have received grants from Hammersmith & Fulham Council and UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham (now https://hfgiving.org.uk/) as businesses are urged to back the borough’s Covid-19 response appeal.
The latest distribution of funds means more urgent frontline help will reach the most vulnerable and neglected in society – bringing the total to £67,645 of aid delivered to 74 groups in just eight weeks.
“There has been a fantastic response, and we’ve reached more than 90,000 people,” said Kevin McGrath, Chair of UNITED. “But there’s no decrease in demand, and the need goes on, so we’re encouraging more businesses able to help match or top up the fund to come forward.”
Launched a week before lockdown, and now approaching its £100,000 target, the UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham Coronavirus Community Response Appeal (now https://hfgiving.org.uk/) has been given generous and remarkable support by individuals and companies. The Brook Green-based mixer drink firm Fever-Tree led the way, becoming the first local business to make a £10,000 gift.
Funds provide grants focusing on the extra needs of at-risk groups, including people who are:
- at risk of complications severe enough to require hospital care
- at risk of being unable to cope with isolation
- at risk because they’re living in poverty.
Businesses able to contribute are asked to email Savraj Kaur at team@unitedhf.org with the subject line Corporate Appeal.
Latest funding
In the latest tranche of funding, £7,200 has been distributed to community groups supporting residents during the coronavirus outbreak.
They include the Hammersmith Community Gardens Association, which will shortly relaunch its gardening programmes assisting socially isolated people and those with mental health issues.
“What's clear on the ground is that this pandemic is far from over, and we want to continue to support local groups for as long as possible, especially as longer-lasting effects surface,” said Savraj Kaur at UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham.
The following organisations have received new grants from H&F Council and UNITED:
Bassuah Legacy Foundation - £1,000
Health and wellness sessions of zumba, bhangra and yoga for single parents and dependants.
Fulham Reach Mutual Aid Group - £1,000
Leafleting, advertising, food sourcing and delivery.
Hammersmith Community Gardens Association - £750
Safely restarting gardening programmes with volunteers, many socially isolated and with secondary mental health issues.
Peardrops Catering - £1,000
Delivering freshly prepared meals to the elderly, vulnerable and homeless, prepared in the Pear Tree pub, Fulham.
Poc a Dot - £450
Art therapy, wellbeing and support work for sexual minorities in the BAME community.
QPR in the Community Trust - £1,000
Phone data, food vouchers and gym equipment for those referred by the Youth Offending Team and those not in education, employment or training.
Ravenscourt Baptist Church - £1,000
Daily support for the community, particularly homeless people, to address anxieties caused by the pandemic.
RJVN8 - £1,000
Funding first-call responders for those needing mental health support during the crisis, and those at risk of suicide.
If you’re a community organisation you can apply for funding today via UNITED’s website.
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