Charities deliver £1 million to hardest-hit families in Scotland

From food shopping to payment of fuel bills and emergency cash payments, the two children’s charities frontline staff have gone above and beyond to make sure families hit hardest by the pandemic weren’t forgotten.

Lockdown may be easing but life is still far from normal for many, with Barnardo’s Scotland still seeing the need for emergency support.

Director Martin Crewe said: “The Scottish Wellbeing Fund has been a lifeline for many children, young people and families across Scotland.

“It has enabled us to get practical support to those most in need with the minimum of bureaucracy – every penny has gone straight to those who need it with all administration costs absorbed by the two charities.

“We have also worked in close partnership with local authorities, schools and local charities to maximise our impact.

“We hope to continue supporting children, young people and families most affected by the pandemic through whatever means we can.”

The Scottish Wellbeing Fund, announced by the Scottish Government on March 18, enabled third sector organisations to provide immediate support to those adversely affected by the coronavirus.

Some £50 million was allocated to the fund. The initial wellbeing payment issued to the charities covered a six-week period to the end of May.

A further payment was made to the charities to enable them to support families to the end of June.

To date, they have distributed more than £1 million, with every single penny going to those most in need.