THE Daily Echo is today launching our Put in a Pound campaign to help fight poverty in our region.
We are asking readers of the Echo, and our weekly sister titles the Hampshire Chronicle, Romsey Advertiser, Andover Advertiser and Basingstoke Gazette and Isle of Wight County Press, to ‘put in a pound’ to support charities facing unprecedented demand amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Almost a quarter (22 per cent) of children in Southampton and the Isle of Wight now live below the poverty line.
READ MORE: Cost of living Southampton: 18,000 meals given away in a single week
The latest data from the Department for Work and Pensions suggests more children than ever before are living in families with a low income in New Forest (14 per cent), Eastleigh (12 per cent) and Winchester (10 per cent).
The figures are 12 per cent in Basingstoke and Deane and 11 per cent in Fareham.
More than 30,000 local children and young people are being hurt by poverty in our region.
By donating £1, you will be supporting families choosing between heating and eating, older people at risk in cold homes, and children without warm clothes.
We are working with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF), an independent charitable foundation connecting donors with the local causes and charities they care about.
The foundation, which awards grants to help people in need, has thousands of pounds available to match fund your generous donations, meaning your cash will go even further towards helping great causes in Southampton and across Hampshire.
Jacqui Scott, HIWCF CEO, said: "As the cost of living crisis hits hard, many people are turning to their local community groups for help and support to simply put food on their table.
"One food bank we support has seen a 14 per cent rise in take-up since April 2021. And that’s why the work of HIWCF supporting the charitable and voluntary organisations around the region is so crucial. These groups offer a lifeline to individuals and communities every single day.
"As a region, we’re facing fuel and energy crises like we haven’t seen in decades and this is resulting in serious financial difficulty. Many people, for the first time, find themselves in the impossible situation of choosing to either keep warm or buy food.
"That’s why we're asking those who are able, to Put In A Pound and help us and Newsquest support the most vulnerable across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight."
Echo Editor Ben Fishwick added: "Times are tough and I wouldn't ask our readers for their support lightly.
"Putting in a pound for this campaign can make a real difference to the people living in our area.
"The cost of living crisis is a daily battle for many, and so if you can't contribute please help spread the word to those who may be able to help."
Donate at enthuse.com
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