A CROWDFUNDING campaign has been launched to support the Malvern community’s response to Covid-19.
Residents are being encouraged to donate whatever they can to a range of community projects supporting the ongoing response to the Coronavirus crisis.
Malvern Hills District Council has launched the People Make Places Fund in partnership with crowdfunding platform Spacehive.
It offers a way to raise funds rapidly by connecting people with local causes. Anyone can back a campaign with as little as £2 and can do so safely online.
The council has made a pot of £25,000 available to support 50 per cent of the cost of projects, up to £5,000.
Donations from communities, local businesses and foundations will make up the rest.
Projects already being funded include:
Community Action Malvern which is looking for £10,690 to support vulnerable people affected by Covid-19 with welfare calls, shopping and transport to hospital appointments. They are 86 per cent of the way there with a £5,000 pledge from the council.
Tenbury Food Bank needs £5,387 to continue to feed people short of food during the pandemic. The council has donated £2,500 and they are 71 per cent towards their target.
Love your neighbour in Upton is a project to provide people with basic cooking, money management, counselling and bereavement support. They are 65 per cent of the way towards their £5,401 total with a £2,500 pledge from the council.
Age UK in Malvern needs £5,427 to create a specialist befriending service to support those isolated by the pandemic. The council has donated £2,500 to take them 52 per cent of the way towards their target.
And The Suckley Good Neighbour Scheme which aims to better connect Suckley residents to tackle social isolation. The council has donated £200 towards their target of £477.
Each project only has until a certain date to reach their target so urgent support is needed.
Coun Sarah Rouse, Malvern Hills District Council leader, said: “The community response to the pandemic was exceptional.
“Now as we begin the process of recovery we need our communities to continue that support.
“The People Make Places Fund is just one way people can do that.
“By giving whatever you can, you can help ensure that support continues for the most vulnerable and those hardest hit by this pandemic.
“Using crowdfunding also allows us as a council to stretch our limited resources so we can support as many projects as possible.
“It’s not about one person or organisation giving a lot, it’s about a lot of people giving as much as they can to collectively make a difference.”
Spacehive is a funding platform that brings together people, businesses, councils and foundations to collaboratively fund projects that communities want.
Chris Gourlay, Founder and CEO of Spacehive, said: “We find ourselves in an extraordinary situation – one which is placing huge strain on communities across the UK.
“As a country, we have the ideas, resources and community spirit to make things better, when the spaces that bring us together will be more important than ever.”
To donate or find out more about projects needing funding click here.
These efforts mark the start of an exciting new crowdfunding initiative coming soon across Worcestershire, which will put the local community at the heart of the strategy to help the district become more vibrant, resilient and build back better.
Anyone who wants more information about the People Make Places Fund or would be interested in adding their own project to the platform, should email [email protected]
