The Harpenden Trust has today thanked the local community for its generosity as it announced its 2022 Christmas Appeal total of £63,000. Donations to the Harpenden Trust have a big impact and enable its Care Fund to provide financial and practical support to local families and residents, with over 660 visits annually to assist with aspects including food costs, school uniforms and essential appliances.
With increased issues of isolation and loneliness, over the last few years the Harpenden Trust has also enabled befriending for over 90 local residents, 3 outings for 143 seniors annually and coffee mornings twice a week for those wishing to socialise. It has also provided utility grants for 80 local residents per year on low incomes, providing much needed support.
In addition, alongside MIND and local GP surgeries, the Trust has supported over 100 residents across age groups through the Harpenden Wellbeing Hub, running initiatives to support local residents with their wellbeing, including the Frazzled Café at the Eric Morcambe Centre, the Arts on Prescription initiative, the Memory Lane Dementia Café and local youth wellbeing projects covering ages 4-25.
Richard Nichols, Chairman of the Harpenden Trust, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who donated to our annual Appeal. To raise so much is even more incredible knowing that finances are tight for many at the moment, so to see that despite this the community have continued to give so generously to support their neighbours is very moving. The money raised will make a huge difference to so many in need across Harpenden and will enable us to keep running many initiatives supporting the community that make such an impact.”
Lynn Kennedy, Appeal Director at the Harpenden Trust, said: “Our annual Appeal could not happen without the kindness and generosity of not only those in the community who donate but also the many volunteers who make collecting donations possible. I would like to give my thanks to them as well as the many local shops and businesses who support us, both in being drop-off points for donations and making us their charity beneficiary.”
To find out more about the fantastic work happening across the Harpenden Trust, please visit our website: www.theharpendentrust.org.uk
17 March 2023
