Many people have shown interest in a project, proposed by Great Aycliffe Residents’ Association, to form a new organisation, each keeping its own identity, but bringing together all  parties involved or interested in giving better support for needy families in Great Aycliffe.
A Food Bank operates from St. Clare’s Church, “Helping Hands” distributes food, clothes and household goods and various Church and other groups help people they know, or assist agencies in the relief of people in poverty.
However the need is increasing and all these efforts could be co-ordinated, and other assistance gained, by this new group, to cover the needs of all destitute people in our immediate area.
The ideal situation would be for the partners of the new organisation to seek to provide all the needs of a family in crisis – ie: food, clothing, furniture, bedding, white goods, household goods etc.
Great Aycliffe Residents’ Association have received many offers of support for this scheme and feel confident it will succeed. It is also clear from information received that a Great Aycliffe based organisation would attract funding if the money granted would be used for helping families in that specific area rather than going to a regional head office.
The plan is to call a meeting of those interested in being involved and from there to elect a Steering Group to take it forward with the aim of drawing up a constitution to tick all the legal and Charity Commission boxes.
A meeting is called for Monday 16th September at 7.00pm in St. Clare’s Church Hall. This is also open to anyone interested in becoming a volunteer.
Further information from Syd Howarth. Tel: 300212 or after hours 320901. e-mail:
syd@newtonnews.co.uk