Charities delivering frontline services to Trafford residents have received a huge boost this week with news of a £25,000 pledge to the Trafford Crisis Fund, which with the help of local businesses and residents could be turned into a huge £50,000 contribution.

The Oglesby Charitable Trust has promised to match-fund donations to the Trafford Crisis Fund up to a value of £25,000 over the coming weeks. The offer is available until the end of October, and donations can be made via Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/TraffordCrisisFund

The Trafford Crisis Fund was launched in May and money raised to date has helped to pay for immediate crisis relief for hundreds of people during the lockdown – including delivering food parcels and securing access to medication. As the pandemic evolves the crisis fund is now turning its attention to providing financial support to charities helping residents with the social consequences of the pandemic, including unemployment, an increase in domestic violence, financial hardship and homelessness.

The pledge comes at a crucial time as many small charities have seen their income streams slashed and fundraising efforts cancelled during lockdown, forcing them to dig deep into reserves and in some cases struggling to survive.

Cllr Graham Whitham, Trafford’s Executive Member for Communities and Partnerships, added: “Thank you very much to the Oglesby Charitable Trust for this amazing donation to the Trafford Crisis Fund. In this year where many fundraising events have been cancelled, contributing to the Trafford Crisis Fund is a great way of setting a challenge and raising money for a worthwhile local cause in the process, and we would love to see more people getting active and creative to support the fund in whatever way they can.”