Local Leaders Launch South Yorkshire Cost of Living Fund

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, and the Chief Executive of South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF), Ruth Willis, have launched a fund to support the region through the cost of living crisis.
 
The South Yorkshire Cost of Living Fund was created by SYCF to support community groups in delivering projects that will alleviate financial burdens. The Fund has now reached more than £3,000, with people – who can and want to – donating their energy rebate, or whatever else they want to give.
 
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “As we head into winter, I know just how many people in South Yorkshire are worrying about feeding their families or heating their homes. Our communities shouldn’t have to face those challenges alone.
 
“That’s why I’m working with South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation to ask people to donate what they can from their energy rebate; so we can get money directly to those groups and organisations helping people through this crisis, doing incredible, important work across our region.
 
“We’re a community that has always helped each other through the toughest of times, and this is just another example of who we are; a place where we look after each other.”
 
In South Yorkshire, one in three children are living in poverty. The region also has some of the highest rates of fuel poverty in the country, with almost 1 in 5 households struggling to afford to warm their home.
 
Ruth Willis, Chief Executive of SYCF said: “Cost of living is affecting many people in our region through increases in food prices, fuel poverty and energy bills.
 
“We hope that the donations made will strike a chord with people who want to help their local community by directing their energy bill rebate to those who need it.
 
“As the largest grants giving organisation in the region, we’ve seen the demand for support as shown by the vast applications for the Sheffield Cost of Living Fund and it’s clear that a region wide campaign will require major funding. We would encourage anyone who wants to donate their energy bill rebate and all South Yorkshire stakeholders to come together and support this Fund.”
 
It is hoped community groups from across South Yorkshire, working to help people through the cost of living crisis, will be able to apply for grants from the fund to support their work.
 
In May earlier this year, SYCF launched its Sheffield Cost of Living Fund, with £20,000 given by Sheffield City Council. More than thirty groups applied for grants – the total value of the applications was £145,000. 
 
A JustGiving page has been launched to collect donations. To donate, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/SouthYorkshireCostOfLivingFund