FEATURE
JOINING FORCES
Charity puts down new foundations in partnership with Tees Business , as fresh appeal launches
Michelle and her team are fundraising to make sure no one has to choose between heating and eating this winter .
C ounty Durham Community Foundation has partnered with Tees Business and Wear Business magazines to raise profiles and funds for charities across the region over the course of the next year .
And the link-up could hardly be better timed , with the foundation having just launched its Poverty Hurts Appeal - a major drive to bring relief to individuals and communities struggling under the twin hits of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic hardship .
Martin Walker , director of Resolution Media , which publishes both magazines , said : “ We are delighted to partner with the foundation , which does an awful lot of good work across Teesside and County Durham .
“ The Foundation ’ s new Poverty Hurts Appeal is such an important campaign for the region and we ’ re hoping businesses and business leaders in our magazines ’ circulation areas will give it their full support .”
Michelle Cooper , chief executive of the foundation , launched the Poverty Hurts Appeal in response to devastating statistics around child poverty and fuel poverty in the region .
One in three children in the region now lives in poverty , with the figure even higher in towns such as Middlesbrough , where 46 per cent of children are affected by poverty .
She said : “ There are so many people fighting their own battles but if we stick together , we can make sure more children have a better shot at school and senior citizens don ’ t have to choose between heating or eating .
“ 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 with no means to pay them .”
The most recent data for excess winter deaths show 328 were recorded in Tees Valley and a further 230 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 .
Michelle added : “ We offer support with dignity , and families from all walks of life access our project so there is no stigma .
WORDS : GRAEME ANDERSON PICTURE : TOM BANKS
“ Families can come and get advice , support , a hot drink , uniform items and we can intervene when they are in crisis , yet no-one knows that ’ s the help they ’ re receiving , so their pride and trust remains intact
“ 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 .
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 , visit cdcf . org . uk or contact alison @ cdcf . org . uk .
138 | Tees Business