The Skipton Community Fund has donated a total of £10k to charities in Guernsey and Jersey to support them during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Guernsey regulated bank and its staff members have nominated those causes which they felt would be deeply impacted and who perhaps could offer help to those most vulnerable within the community.
A total of £5k has been donated to six local charities in Guernsey – Guernsey Chest & Heart, Guernsey Welfare’s Foodbank, Guernsey Voluntary Service – Meals on Wheels, St John Ambulance & Rescue, Animal Aid and the GSPCA.
Funds will assist the Guernsey Chest & Heart Unit at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital as it expands its services, consulting with any islanders that are experiencing respiratory problems through the referral of their GP. The Guernsey Voluntary Service will utilise funds to help them continue to deliver their Meals on Wheels service six days a week to an increasing number of individuals, ensuring they meet health and safety measures imposed by the lockdown. Monies have been gratefully received by St John Ambulance & Rescue helping them to attend to a high number of ambulance calls and to oversee the ‘Volunteer Guernsey’ project in conjunction with the Guernsey Community Foundation and the Association of Guernsey Charities.
Aaron Walden, Commercial Manager at Skipton International, said: “There are so many charitable organisations being stretched at this difficult time and Skipton wanted to reach out and offer help towards the vital work they do for our community. We usually respond to applications from the Skipton Community Fund, but in these unprecedented circumstances we felt it was appropriate to proactively reach out to offer our support.”
Skipton’s employees also wanted to recognise the impact events may have on animals with funds being granted to Animal Aid and the GSPCA. Animal Aid are continuing to rehome animals and respond to emergency call outs whilst their doors are currently closed. The GSPCA remain busy and thanks to Skipton’s support will be ready for financial hardships which can see a lot of animals require new homes.
Sue Le Friec, Guernsey Welfare Service Co-Ordinator, said: “We are very appreciative of Skipton’s gift to our foodbank which enables us to keep supporting those in Guernsey who are struggling at this unusual time. The gift will help us to continue our work of providing food parcels to those on low incomes, who have lost their income or who are self-isolating with little other support, and we would encourage anyone in that situation to contact us for assistance. The fact that businesses like Skipton recognise the needs of others less fortunate is a sign of great strength within our community.”
The Skipton Community Fund was established in 2018 to help promote smaller, less recognised charities through a combination of financial support, increased publicity and where possible staff volunteer services. To date it has supported over 30 projects in the Channel Islands, demonstrating that even a little can go a very long way to making a difference.
