HOME-Start Winchester has benefitted from a grant – and it will be used to help vulnerable families during lockdown.

The National Emergencies Trust (NET) has partnered with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Fund (HIWCF) award the charity £2,712.

“This timely award of a grant has helped us to maintain continuity of food deliveries for the families we support which are most in need and also to put together and deliver activity packs for their young children who, along with their parents, are struggling to cope with isolation,” said Liz Cooper, chairman of Home-Start Winchester.

“We are introducing new fundraising initiatives to cope with the additional demands that COVID-19 has brought and to make up for a shortfall in funding from community events. The HIWCF grant from the National Emergencies Trust Fund will help to cover our costs until the new initiatives begin to deliver new sources of funding."

Jonathan Cheshire OBE, HIWCF chairman added: "We are delighted to be able to support Home-Start Winchester in their work to help those in need in the local community. Local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations are providing a lifeline to those less fortunate, and it is heartening to see that these organisations can react so quickly and be so resourceful in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

"The vital services that these organisations provide are more crucial now than ever before but are under threat more than at any other time."

HIWCF is continuing to raise funding for charities.

Donations can be made to the ‘We’re All Together’ fund at: virginmoneygiving.com/fund/AllTogether.