A crowdfunding appeal fund set up to help vulnerable people in the Mansfield area during the Covid-19 crisis has shared out £27,670 of £35,691 raised.

The Community Response Network Fund was launched by Mansfield District Council to be distributed to local charities and voluntary and community groups to help them continue providing vital support during the coronavirus crisis.

The Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this fund. Most of the money has been shared out now but organisations can still apply for remaining money yet to be distributed.

“The charities and groups we have helped have done some amazing work to support local people during these difficult times. I am really proud of how Mansfield has responded and stepped up to help those in need.”

Among those to have receive grants are Autism East Midlands; Ladybrook Enterprises, for its Help at Hand project, which is supporting people who are high risk and shielding or isolated and have no one to help them; and the Life Church South Mansfield, which has been providing emergency food parcels for vulnerable local households.

Rob Hurd, pastor at the Life Church South Mansfield, said: “This donation from the appeal has gone directly towards a foodbank project to help some of the most vulnerable families in the Bellamy Road area and Oak Tree Lane estate.

“This crisis has left some families in a difficult position so this scheme has been a huge help to them.”
Ladybrook Enterprises Ltd is a registered charity that operates from and manages Ladybrook Community Centre (William
Kaye Hall), offering activities and services to help people in the area to improve their lives.

Its Help at Hand Mansfield project is currently helping 46 people who are shielding themselves. They have each been allocated a volunteer, who calls weekly to arrange support such as shopping, collecting medications and providing telephone support for emotional needs.

Daniel Pikett, employment, enterprise and careers co-ordinator for Autism East Midlands, said: “Autism East Midlands is extremely grateful to Mansfield District Council for its incredible support.

“Many autistic individuals experience significant difficulties associated with changes to their routines, and this is particularly apparent during this time of uncertainty.”

The council kick-started the appeal with a pledge of £25,000, while councillors have donated £3,600 in unspent ward allowances and the mayor has contributed £500 through his Mayor’s 500 fund. Spacehive, which hosts the online fund, waived its fees, contributing a further £1,500 to the pot.

Members of the public contributed more than £1,100 and the fund was also boosted by Mansfield Rotary Club, which donated £1,000, and Mansfield Building Society, which gave £2,500.

Groups can apply online for grants of up to £2,000 at www.mansfield.gov.uk/coronavirus/fund.

Anyone needing help from Help at Hand or who wishes to volunteer for Ladybrook Enterprises can do so by contacting helpathandmansield@gmail.com or call Sharron Reynolds on 07930 142745.

To get help from the Life Church, contact Rob Hurd on 07538 954000 or visit www.lifechurchsouthmansfield.co.uk.

Details about Autism East Midlands and the support it can offer are at www.autismeastmidlands.org.uk.

Recipients of help from the Community Response Network Fund include: Afghan and Central Asian Association (https://acaa.org.uk), Jigsaw Support Scheme (www.facebook.com/Jigsawsupportscheme), Mansfield CVS (www.mansfieldcvs.org), NIDAS, Nottinghamshire domestic abuse organisation (www.nidas.org.uk), Unanima Theatre (www.facebook.com/pg/unanimatheatre), Autism East Midlands (www.autismeastmidlands.org.uk), Samaritans (www.samaritans.org), St John Ambulance (www.sja.org.uk), Life Church South Mansfield (www.lifechurchsouthmansfield.co.uk), Ladybrook Enterprises Ltd (http://ladybrookcommunitycentre.co.uk), Community Action Response (CAR) Warsop (www.lifespring.org.uk/community), Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid (https://nottswa.org), The Hall Homelessness Support Group, Extra Care Baby Bank (www.facebook.com/extracarebabybank), Social Action Hub, Rainworth (www.socialactionhub.com).

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