Rapid response to help those who need it most

Foundation funding is continuing to help those who need it most.

Charities and volunteer organisations across the region have been benefiting from a cash boost with Northumberland County Council distributing £20,000 each to Adapt North East, North Northumberland Voluntary Forum, Blyth Valley CVA, Leading Link and Real Deal. The remaining £25k will be used to help small organisations and rural communities with things such as food deliveries, shopping cards and other essential services.

Meanwhile Wallsend-based charity LD North East is using £1,250 from the Foundation – administered through North Tyneside Council – to make welfare calls to people living on their own and buying craft materials to raise people’s spirits at the toughest of times.

Lisa Wild, LD North East development manager, said: “We are really very grateful to Bernicia, getting access to the money really quickly makes a difference to us in the help and support we can deliver now.”

And in the south of the region, The Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Service (UTASS) is supporting communities in the Durham Dales area with their fund of £6,250 allocated to them by Durham County Council.

John Johnston, Bernicia Chief Executive, said: “It is so heartening to see the speed with which the local authorities have got our funding to those charities helping people and communities cope with the impact of COVID-19.