A north-east woman is raising £50,000 to help local families affected by job losses this Christmas.
Throughout lockdown, the Peterhead Community Heart group has delivered packages to vulnerable people in self-isolation.
Now the group’s founder, Helen Will, has launched a campaign to raise £50,000 to help support families that are normally working but have been laid-off due to the pandemic and are struggling to get back to work.
Last night, Mrs Will said: “I couldn’t sleep at all as I was racking my brain trying to think of what the best way to help people would be.
“I knew emergency food packages weren’t going to get people very far at Christmas, as at that time of year people need money.
“It may feel like it’s still far away, but the time will come in really quickly and as it would be difficult to pull off something like this the month before Christmas, I thought it’d be best to make a start now.
In what will be her “biggest fundraising challenge yet” Mrs Will is attempting to raise £50,000 in 24 weeks to help support 100 families, along with 150 local elderly people in need of extra support.
Mrs Will said: “Due to the pandemic, a number of local families have either been laid off or are struggling to find work and Christmas will be an added worry for them.
“For many of these working families, it’s a situation they’ve not had to deal with before.”
When the money is raised, Mrs Will aims to provide each family with a £150 food voucher for Morrisons as well as £100 cash to help out with gas, electric or a few presents.
This will be followed up in January with £100 in cash to enable families to buy the essentials many struggle with in that month.
The remainder of the £50,00 will be used for the group’s elderly doorstep surprise drops, which include £50 in cash or vouchers for the butcher.
Mrs Will is appealing for people to show their support.
She said: “It is a lot of money I’m trying to raise and I won’t be able to do it all on my own.
“There are loads of ways people can help.”
In a similar fashion to the online leavers prom for Peterhead primary school pupils she organised last month, Mrs Will hopes local businesses will again be able to help.
She said: “If people were to pledge £5 a week, the £50,000 target is definitely achievable.”
Those who would like to support the cause can make donations by searching £50,000 Mission Christmas 2020 on Facebook.
The fundraiser will run until November 30.
