Plea to donate to the Oldham Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund

Community groups and businesses are throwing their weight behind the campaign to raise money for the emergency community response to coronavirus.

An impressive £12,000 has been raised since the campaign went live at the start of April with the money raised going to local groups and charities in Oldham to help them continue to provide a vital response with community support.

This amount has been further boosted by one local business, Chadderton based consumer goods firm Ultimate Products, who have pledged an amazing £10,000 to the fund.

But more is needed from other businesses and residents if the target of £30,000 is going to be reached to help those most in need.

A donation can help to provide telephone advice, support and companionship for older people to prevent them from feeling isolated during self-isolation, or it could help a local foodbank to provide food parcels to more homes than ever before. By donating, you could help a community group support local people.

Donate now to support groups and charities in Oldham via the Action Together Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/OldhamCoronavirus 

And the money has already been put to good use to support local charities and community groups. These include:

• Pennine Mencap - £1,000 to provide emergency supplies for disabled adults who are isolating at home for 12 weeks
• Chadderton Boxing Club - £900 to help the club and its members safely provide meals to vulnerable people
• Saheli Women’s Group Oldham - £990 to allow a team of volunteers to complete vital errands for people and be available on the phone for a chat
• Tough Cookies Ed CIC - £550 to support young people during crisis by creating a number of self-care kits

Laura Windsor Welsh, Strategic Locality Lead for Action Together which is co-ordinating the fundraising effort as well as providing £20,000 of the Action Oldham Fund funding, said: “We would like to thank all those businesses, partners and people who have already donated. All the money raised has already begun to be distributed local groups and charities in Oldham, to help them continue to provide vital community support.

“So far, the fund has helped to provide food parcels and meals for vulnerable people, helped people in local hospices, hospitals and care homes to stay in touch with their families, friends and the outside world to reduce social isolation and much more.

“With the help of kind-hearted people in Oldham we can improve the lives of local people even more. If you can give at this time, please give locally and donate to your local campaign or maybe organise a virtual fundraising activity following the stay home, stay safe advice.”

Andrew Gossage, Managing Director of Ultimate Products, commented:

“We are absolutely committed to doing everything that we can to provide much-needed support to local charities and endeavours that are working round the clock to help the people of Oldham during these extremely difficult times. We are a proud member of this community and a long-standing employer in Oldham, and it is both a responsibility and a privilege for us to be able to contribute financial support and household goods to fantastic organisations such as Action Together. 

“However, there is so much more that needs to be done, and we would encourage all local businesses to do what they can to pitch in and help out. It really is the case that no contribution will be too small at the moment.”

Councillor Arooj Shah, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “In the last few weeks we have been able to help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities affected by the impact of coronavirus.  

“This help is so vital at this time, and by us working together with a huge range of our voluntary and community groups, we can really make a difference where its most needed.

“This collective effort, which also includes selfless Oldham residents shows how the whole community is pulling together to help people who need it the most.”

Kashif Ashraf from the Oldham Enterprise Trust (OET): “OET fully supports the emergency response for Coronavirus and are inspired by the generosity of the Oldham Business Community who themselves have had their businesses affected by the lockdown. Despite this they have shown fantastic Oldham community spirit and resolve to do their part to help people in need.

For further details on how to donate – please go to:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/OldhamCoronavirus

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