A children’s charity that supports families in crisis across Tayside and Fife says its funding has run out amid the cost of living crisis.
Aberlour has been forced to close its lifeline Urgent Assistance Fund – which provides cash grants to families within 48 hours to pay for food, clothing and energy bill – following the impact of Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis.
Now they are issuing a desperate plea to the public for donations so they can continue to support those in need.
Perth mum says charity changed her family’s life
Perth mum, Connie Ramsay, says the charity has helped her family “enormously”.
She said: “We were really struggling with maintaining our house – it was damp and freezing, and our young children, Eva and Ethan, constantly suffered from chest infections, colds and coughs.
“When we were first referred to Aberlour, sadly, our children were also sleeping in broken beds.”
The charity were able to arrange for Perth and Kinross Council to replace the storage heaters in their home and allocate funding from their Urgent Assistance Fund so Connie could buy beds and bedding.
Connie said: “We were so grateful to be able to buy storage, cushions and throws to help make our house a home.
“Aberlour has also helped build our confidence as parents, helping us to put routines in place for the children, especially at bedtime, which really helped once our youngest daughter, Skylar, arrived.
“Aberlour has changed our lives. I’m so glad we accepted their help.”
417 grants allocated in Tayside and Fife since April 2021
Since April 2021, over 12,000 people across Scotland have received grants worth £1.44 million from Aberlour.
In addition, 417 grants were made in Aberlour’s East Scotland region – which includes Dundee, Angus, Perth and Fife – supporting 1,379 individuals.
Sally-Ann Kelly, Chief Executive at Aberlour Children’s Charity, said: “This is one of the most challenging periods families have faced in decades and Scotland’s poorest children face a dark, cold winter.
“The worst-off families in our communities can simply no longer afford to put the lights on, heat their homes, put food on the table, or buy basic necessities for their children such as a bed or bedding.
“Every penny donated to Aberlour goes directly to families and our Urgent Assistance Fund has been a vital means to many.
“However, the reality is that we are only able to help one out of four existing applications and, unfortunately, the Fund is now closed to new applications until we can secure more donations.
“As the cost of living increases daily, the impact could be devastating, and we are asking anyone that is in a position to contribute – however big or small the amount – to donate via our website to support those in need.”
Perth service manager says families are worried about winter
Wendy Laing, Assistant Service Manager for Aberlour, based in Perth, added: “A lot of families in the area are worried as we head into winter.
“With Christmas on the horizon, and the rise in food, fuel, and gas and electric prices, families are nervous about ending up in extreme debt as they try to maintain a sense of normality to their family lives.
“We are seeing a significant increase in the number of families needing food parcels and support for their mental health, in both parents and children.
“So, initiatives and financial support such as the Urgent Assistance Fund, which can provide financial support quickly, are a lifeline for struggling families in the East of Scotland.”
