Region-wide coronavirus support fund hits £1m target

LCR Cares, the community fund set up by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Merseyside and the National Emergencies Trust, is celebrating having hit its £1m target in just over a month.

This latest milestone comes as the fund received a £20,000 donation from the Daneway Foundation, which was set up three years ago by private individuals who live locally, to support disadvantaged young people across the city region.

The fund has also benefited from contributions from other charitable trusts, notably the National Emergencies Trust, local businesses like Home Bargains, and high-profile individuals, such as former Liverpool footballer Jamie Carragher and ex-Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy, as well as hundreds of individual contributions from people across the city region.

In just over a month more than £674,000 has already been distributed to in excess of 150 local voluntary and community organisations.

Steve Rotheram said: “​Round here, we’re known for our kindness and solidarity, so when this crisis struck we were amongst the first in the country to set up this kind of fund.

“We’ve worked very hard with our partners at the Community Foundation for Merseyside and the National Emergencies Trust and I’m so pleased that we have already hit our £1m target.

“Even I have been blown away by the way local people have stepped up to help their communities through the coronavirus crisis.

“From mental health support and debt advice, to providing food and activities for vulnerable people, community organisations are doing amazing work to help their neighbours through this crisis.

“Thanks to your generosity, LCR Cares is able to help them keep up this brilliant work. As fast as the money has been coming in, we’ve been getting it back out to where it’s needed and I couldn’t be prouder of our city region.”

Rae Brooke, chief executive of the Community Foundation for Merseyside, said: “What has been achieved so far is nothing short of remarkable, with over £1m raised in a matter of weeks.

“The generosity of so many, helping so many, at a time of great need.

“The resilience of every individual is being tested.

“Many people in our community are concerned about how bills will be met, can they afford to buy the necessary food for their family, whether they will remain safe if they are in an abusive relationship, will their mental wellbeing hold up if not supported, will they receive ongoing help if socially isolated?

“The LCR Cares COVID-19 Community Support Fund provides much-needed compassion and practical help to the most vulnerable in our community and will continue to do so for as long as the generosity of those who can give, do give. We thank each and every person and organisation who has stepped up to the mark.”