South Tyneside community group sees £10,000 cash boost to help those affected by coronavirus

Hedworthfield Community Association (CA) in Fellgate, Jarrow, has secured an additional £10,000 from The National Lottery Fund to help those affected by Covid-19.

The community centre is currently closed due to the lockdown measures, however the money will allow volunteers to continue their work supporting vulnerable and elderly residents who have been hit hardest by the crisis.

Members have been supporting volunteers to run a food bank from Murray’s Club on Fellgate Ave, Jarrow, which has been closed since the lockdown was introduced in March.

Staff - who have temporarily been placed on furlough - have been delivering emergency food parcels to residents within the area and providing a much needed friendly face for many.

Now the group has the funds to provide additional supplies to keep the service running and will be delivering frozen meals, as well as non-perishables, thanks to the purchase of a new freezer for the facility.

Councillor Geraldine Kilgour, a trustee of Hedworthfield CA said: “We’re working in partnership with the food bank to look after our more vulnerable members, as well as residents in the community who need support.

“It’s not just about delivering food, it's checking on them - from a safe distance - making sure they come to the door and reporting any concerns.”

The money will also go towards supporting key workers in the borough and helping to fund PPE for the community centre, but also those who need extra support.

Coun Kilgour continued: “We are currently looking at how we can support key workers and what kind of support they need.

“We will also be purchasing some PPE for the centre but also for anyone in our community who is struggling or feels that they don’t have enough to feel safe.”

She added: “Despite us being closed the heart of the community centre is still working.

“The trustees are ecstatic that despite the closure we have been able to come together to secure this massive amount of money to bolster that support for a bit longer.”

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