Council’s coronavirus appeal fund shares thousands of pounds with groups for the vulnerable in Mansfield

A crowdfunding appeal fund set up to help vulnerable people in the Mansfield district during the Covid-19 crisis has shared out £27,670 of the £35,691 raised.
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The Community Response Network Fund was set up by the Mansfield District Council to be distributed to local charities, voluntary and community groups to continue providing vital support during the coronavirus crisis.Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this fund. Most of the money has been shared out now but organisations can still apply for the remaining money yet to be distributed.

“The charities and groups we have helped have done some amazing work to support local people during these difficult times. I am really proud of how Mansfield has responded and stepped up to help those in need."

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Among those to have receive grants are Autism East Midlands, Ladybrook Enterprises, for its Help at Hand project, which is supporting people who are high risk and shielding or isolated and have no one to help them, and the Life Church South Mansfield, which has been providing emergency food parcels for vulnerable local households.Rob Hurd, Pastor at the Life Church South Mansfield, said: "This donation from the appeal has gone directly towards a food bank project to help some of the most vulnerable families in the Bellamy Road area and Oaktree Lane estate. "This crisis has left some families in a really difficult position so this scheme has been a huge help to them."Ladybrook Enterprises Ltd is a registered charity that operates from and manages Ladybrook Community Centre (William Kaye Hall), offering activities and services to help people in the area to improve their lives. Its Help at Hand Mansfield project is currently helping 46 people who are shielding themselves. They have each been allocated a volunteer who calls weekly to arrange support such as shopping, collecting medications and providing telephone support for emotional needs.

Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams.Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams.
Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams.

Linda Nixon, a Help at Hand Mansfield Volunteer, said: "The people I help know they have someone friendly who will call them and help find a solution to their need. Since retiring, it has helped me to help others who are shielding, and it provides me with exercise."

The council kick-started the appeal with a pledge of £25,000, while councillors have donated £3,600 in unspent ward allowances and the Mayor has contributed £500 through his Mayor’s 500 fund. Spacehive, which hosts the online fund, waived its fees, contributing a further £1,500 to the pot. Members of the public contributed more than £1,100 and the fund was also generously boosted by Mansfield Rotary Club, which donated £1,000, and Mansfield Building Society, which gave £2,500.

Groups can apply online for grants of up to £2,000 at www.mansfield.gov.uk/coronavirus/fund.

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Recipients so far include: Afghan and Central Asian Association, Jigsaw Support Scheme, Mansfield CVS, NIDAS, Nottinghamshire domestic abuse organisation, Unanima Theatre, Autism East Midlands, Samaritans, St John Ambulance, Life Church South Mansfield, Ladybrook Enterprises Ltd, Community Action Response (CAR) Warsop, Nottinghamshire Women's Aid, The Hall Homelessness Support Group, Extra Care Baby Bank, and Social Action Hub, Rainworth.