£1MILLION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO TACKLE NORTH EAST POVERTY

CAPTION: Michelle Cooper, CEO of County Durham Community Foundation

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As the people of County Durham face rising levels of poverty, a community foundation has launched a £1million appeal to help charities deliver vital support to tens of thousands in need.

County Durham Community Foundation’s Poverty Hurts campaign, founded in response to the cost-of-living crisis, will support families choosing between heating and eating – and those who can afford neither- as well as older people at risk of poor health and death due to cold homes, young people leaving care, children without warm winter coats and other organisations working to combat the causes and consequences of poverty.

The appeal launch at Durham’s Town Hall saw representatives of third-sector organisations, dignitaries and business leaders gather to hear first-hand from those fighting poverty on the frontline in their communities. There was also exhibition from documentary photographer, Carl Joyce, focussing on key elements of modern poverty.

Poverty Hurts’ fundraising drive begins as statistics show that more than one-third of children in the North East now live below the poverty line, and foodbanks cite a 50 percent increase in adults visiting them asking for cold food, with more people than ever making the heart-breaking decision between heating and eating.

Donations will help reduce poverty’s causes and consequences, with each pound raised unlocking 50 pence of match-funding accessed by the Foundation’s fundraising experts. Every penny raised will support local projects and organisations making a massive difference for people and communities facing crisis and hardship.

Dr Michelle Cooper OBE, chief executive officer at County Durham Community Foundation, said: “For more and more families and individuals across County Durham, poverty is sadly becoming a harsh reality.

“What makes Poverty Hurts different to other appeals is that funds will be directed to projects which are already embedded in communities, delivering services focussed on helping local people. The support is targeted to help those most at need.

“The North East now has the unenviable title of the region with the highest rate of child poverty anywhere in the UK – around one in three children live below the breadline. The consequence of prolonged poverty is long-lasting. It limits the hopes and opportunities of thousands, and is simply intolerable.

“There is unprecedented pressure on charities. The rising cost-of-living is driving more to use their services at a time when cost increases are making it more difficult for those services to be delivered. Many face a bleak winter without the support of local charities.”

Gemma O’Brien, community development specialist at Sacriston Youth and Community Project, said: “The support of Poverty Hurts will help us to sustain what we do on a day-to-day basis. As a charity, providing our services is getting ever more expensive, so that support and financial support will increase our capacity.”

Darren McMahon, founder of Pact House Stanley, said: “Poverty Hurts gives us security. It fills our food bank, it pays a member of staff and keep the lights on. It makes sure we can address the needs of our community, which are ever increasing.”

Support the appeal at www.cdcf.enthuse.com/cf/poverty-matters or to receive an appeal information pack from the foundation, email info@cdcf.org.uk or call 0191 378 6340. Find out more about County Durham Community Foundation’s work to enrich local lives at cdcf.org.uk.