Gemma O ’ Brien , Katherine Barton and Chloe West-Nethercot from Sacriston Youth Project , with Alison Goulding from the foundation .
make sure more children have a better shot at school and senior citizens don ’ t have to choose between heating or eating .”
One-in-three children in the region now live in poverty , with the figure even higher in towns such as Middlesbrough , where 46 per cent of children are affected by poverty .
Around 6,000 children in the region lack two or more necessities like a warm winter coat , fresh fruit and vegetables once a day and properly fitting shoes . And many elderly citizens are now facing the anguish of soaring fuel bills and no means to pay them .
The most recent data for excess winter deaths shows 328 were recorded in Tees Valley and a further 230 recorded in County Durham .
Excess winter deaths are the rise in the number of deaths in the winter months compared to the warmer months of the year and have been strongly linked to colder homes where fuel poverty is a problem .
But the foundation believes the appeal can help by creating a much-needed pot of money for local organisations that do so much to help families and the elderly with these issues .
Like Sacriston Youth Project , which was given £ 1,000 raised by the Poverty Hurts Appeal to support weekly drop-in sessions for families who are struggling this winter .
Gemma O ’ Brien from the project said : “ Poverty is real , it ’ s on the doorstep and I wish everyone could understand that they are closer to being homeless than they are to being a millionaire . We are so thankful to
everyone who has given to the appeal , and want to stress that we make every pound go as far as it possibly can .”
Businesses and individuals new to the foundation could also boost their donation to the appeal with a match funding offer of 50p for every £ 1 , up to a donation total of £ 1,000 .
Michelle added : “ This is the positive of supporting our appeal . With the matchfunding , we can give groups like Sacriston Youth Project a good , chunky grant that allows them to plan - and the donor sees their giving go even further .”
A report released in September by the Northern Health Science Alliance showed the devastating impact of the pandemic on people across the north of England .
The mortality rate due to Covid-19 was 17 per cent higher than the rest of the country , the unemployment rate was 19 per cent higher , and the north experienced a larger drop in mental wellbeing , more loneliness , and higher rates of antidepressant prescriptions .
Michelle said : “ The statistics are just brutal , but I know that behind each number is a story of suffering that ’ s even worse .
“ We recently visited a project we have funded , and the team told us one family had not eaten for three days but didn ’ t want to ask for help .
“ Our hope is that the appeal will bring some crucial support and relief to families and the elderly as we approach the winter months . “ It ’ s never too late to turn things around .” County Durham Community Foundation is a registered charity and has been working in North-East communities for 26 years .
Thanks to generous donors , the foundation funds projects that improve lives and reduce poverty .
Throughout the pandemic , it has distributed millions of pounds in funding to support County Durham and Tees Valley communities .
Michelle added : “ By partnering with local businesses and donors , we are growing a foundation that will meet the changing needs of our communities for years to come . “ While we can ’ t end poverty overnight , there is so much we can do that can improve life for people and support them at those crucial moments of difficulty .”
Donations to the appeal will support people in County Durham and Tees Valley and the work of the foundation .
To learn more about the Poverty Hurts Appeal , please visit cdcf . org . uk or email alison @ cdcf . org . uk .
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