HUNDREDS of Warrington residents who are shielding from Covid-19 have benefited from support food packs thanks to funding from police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Keane.
Three Warrington community groups have been awarded funding from the commissioner’s Safer Communities express grant fund to develop and deliver the food packs.
Helping Hands was awarded £1,000 towards the cost of food parcels delivered to around 100 residents in Orford, Poplars and Hulme every week.
St Philip’s Church and WA5 Good Neighbour were also granted £1,000 to deliver 400 food packs to vulnerable and elderly residents in Great Sankey, Penketh, Westbrook and Burtonwood.
Finally, All Saints Church was given £560 to deliver home-baked gifts and plants to those isolated and suffering from poor mental health in Thelwall.
The funding was awarded to the groups following a call from the commissioner for local community groups in Cheshire to apply for emergency funding to support communities through the latest national lockdown.
Grants of up to £1,000 are still available for projects which are working alongside Cheshire police and local authorities to support vulnerable people in the community.
The fund is part of PCC David Keane’s Safer Communities Fund which is funded by money taken from Cheshire criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (PoCA 2002).
The PCC has awarded more than £80,000 as part of the emergency fund to communities groups or non-for-profit organisations across Cheshire since the pandemic began. It’s also helped groups supporting residents through last month’s flooding.
He said: “The latest lockdown means that many of us are again feeling isolated or have financial worries. Community groups across Cheshire are doing a fantastic job in supporting vulnerable people and I’m pleased that my Safer Communities express grant fund can support their efforts.
“There are people in the community who really rely on this support to access vital supplies or to help improve their wellbeing. I’d encourage other groups to apply to the fund so we can ensure more vulnerable residents are given support.”
For more information about how you can apply for a Safer Communities express grant, please visit: https://www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-i-do/making-cheshire-safer/proceeds-of-crimecommunity-fund/
