FIVE charities at the front line of supporting people in need during the coronavirus outbreak are to receive a funding boost from St Helens Council.

Halton and St Helens Voluntary and Community Action (HSHVCA) will receive £11,000 for their work in helping with #StHelensTogether and the support in creating a community volunteers across the borough available to help people in need.

Age UK will also receive £15,000 for the work they are doing to support older people who may be on their own.

Meanwhile, Teardrops, St Helens Borough Foodbank Hub and The Hope Centre will all receive £5,000 to help them immediately as they work in the community, offering vital supplies, support and help for a wide variety of people across St Helens.

Cllr David Baines, leader of St Helens Council, said: "Now more than ever, community and charity groups need our support. They are the unsung heroes who are working every day, helping to make a huge difference to people across St Helens borough.

"I’m delighted to be able to support HSHVCA, Teardrops, Age UK and the Hope Centre with initial extra funding at this difficult time for us all.

“HSHVCA are working with us to coordinate volunteers, creating a network of Street Champions to provide help wherever it in needed in the borough, and the £11,000 will support their outstanding work.

“Age UK Mid Mersey have also been invaluable supporting older people who need support as many face isolation on their own. They are regularly checking in with people and making sure they have their medications, food or even just offering company on the phone."

St Helens Star:

Cllr David Baines

He added: “Teardrops have been working tirelessly to support homeless people through this huge period of change, and they’re also supporting the wider community, and the £5,000 will help them to carry on this excellent work. A donation of £10,000 to the Hope Centre will help them to continue two projects: the running of St Helens Foodbank, and Hope House Homeless Day Centre.

“We set up St Helens Borough Together to find those people in need and link them up with the amazing volunteers across our borough who want to play their part and these three organisations have been hugely influential in helping us to support our most vulnerable in society.

“These are just the first organisations to benefit from donations from St Helens Council, and in the days and weeks ahead we will be making more announcements about support for these and other groups.”

To find out how to volunteer or if you or someone you know needs our support through #StHelensTogether visit sthelenstogether.co.uk or call 01744 676767.