More than 150 Berkshire children in poverty are being helped by a £10,000 grant from a supermarket chain aimed at making their lives safer.
The funding came courtesy of a Tesco shopper in Wokingham, who chose First Days Children’s Charity to receive the funds as part of a celebratory Golden Grants funding campaign.
The charity has now announced how the money will be spent to help children in poverty.
The largest share, £4,600, will help to cover the cost involved when the charity is sorting and storing donations, ensuring they are fit for purpose; £2,000 will go towards travel costs when distributing items to families they are helping; and £3,400 will be used to purchase items that cannot be sourced through donations. This includes items such as car-seats, mattresses, bed frames, stair gates, mattress protectors, bedding, duvets, pillows and some items of school uniform.
Ellie Gosling, fundraising and events manager at the charity, said: “We’re extremely grateful for the donation of £10,000 from the Tesco Golden Grants award.
“Sadly, many local families are really struggling this winter and the demand for our services is higher than ever.
“The £10,000 grant will make a huge difference in us being able to continue providing essential items to families in Bracknell, Reading and Berkshire living in poverty.
“This money will go a long way towards providing essential items and support to families in our community who are experiencing financial hardship.”
She said the charity will be able to support 158 families based on the average amount of £63 per referral.
“In 2021 we supported more than 4,500 children. By the end of 2022 we are expecting to have helped 9,000 children,” Ms Gosling said.
The donation marks £100 million in Tesco Community Grants being given to more than 50,000 good causes since they were launched in 2016.
Good causes that have benefited include breakfast clubs, food banks, Meals on Wheels, playgrounds and green spaces, parks and green spaces, counselling and support services for young people and children’s sports teams.
Louise Jedras, Community Champion at the Wokingham Superstore, said: “I am very pleased that First Days were chosen by our lucky customer, as I know what phenomenal work they do in the local area and what a lifeline they are for struggling families.
“They are a small charity, but their work goes a long, long way, transforming lives for the better, often at the time when they’re needed most.
“There are a great many families who are very thankful for what First Days have done for them, and there will be many more in the future.”
