More than £30,000 looks set to be raised to support groups helping Mansfield residents affected by COVID-19.
Mansfield District Council set up the Mansfield Community Response Network and pledged a donation of £25,000 to the fund, which will provide grants for charities, voluntary and community groups supporting the district’s most vulnerable people.
A further £3,600 has been paid into it by the council from Members’ ward allowances that were unspent in the 2019/20 financial year.
Members of the public have also donated hundreds of pounds to the fund, meaning more than £30,000 looks set to be raised by the end of April and the council is appealing for further donations.
Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We appreciate these are difficult times for many people but anything you can spare adds up and will make a valuable difference for those who need it most.
“Thank you to our district councillors who agreed for their outstanding ward allowances to go to this very worthy cause.”
The Mayor has also committed £500 from the Mayor's 500 Fund, which was set up to benefit local initiatives by donating 30% of his annual allowance.
As well as long-standing organisations such as Mansfield CVS and a number of foodbanks, new support groups have formed across the district thanks to residents’ generosity and willingness to help others.
Volunteers are helping to ease the pressure on the council and its partners by working hard to provide essential food supplies, collect prescriptions, deliver medication, carry out emergency repairs and keep in contact with people who have no family, friends or neighbours who can help.
The Mayor added: “I am really enjoying my time working as a volunteer at the Beacon. There is a great team spirit and I have been accepted by the Royal Voluntary Service and I am awaiting my call to action."
Visit the Mansfield Community Response Fund Spacehive page (opens in new window) to pledge your support.
Groups that would like to benefit from the fund can apply online for grants of up to £2,000 on our Mansfield Community Response Network Fund page.