Broadband provider KCOM has announced the winners of eight special community grants to help make Christmas a little more magical this year.
The eight winners include two East Yorkshire foodbanks, charities for children with learning disabilities, families fleeing domestic abuse, and an East Hull community centre providing Christmas presents for local youngsters.
KCOM Community Coordinator, Rachel Bowerman, said it was a difficult choice picking eight winners from more than 30 applications, but was delighted that the grants would now be helping to bring some much-needed Christmas cheer.
She said: “It’s the season of giving here at KCOM and we’ve been busy donating gifts and volunteering our time through local charities.
“This year we wanted to do something extra to support the good causes in our area and our grants programme was a great way to reach more people. Through these eight groups, we will have reached more than 100 families and 350 children at a time where extra support is always welcome.”
The grants winners are: Aim Higher, Barton Foodbank, Bridlington Nursery Foodbank, Downright Special, Eastmount Community Centre, Find Charity, Hull Women’s Aid and Together Women.
Gill Jagger, of local charity Aim Higher, which supports young people and their families affected by autism and mental health issues, said her group’s grant of £500 will provide 120 children with a Christmas present.
She said: “We are self-funded so this grant is amazing. Thanks so much, KCOM!”
Sarah Welbourne, of Bridlington Nursery School Foodbank, said its grant would enable the school to provide up to 80 families with access to perishable goods like fruit and vegetables over the Christmas period.
She said: “We really appreciate the support. It’s a made a positive difference to the families that we support at a time when it is important that children should have something to enjoy and remember.”
And Shaunagh Brook-McClean, of Hull Women’s Aid, said that her group’s grant would cover the cost of entertainment at its Christmas celebration for families who have fled abuse and will not be in their own homes throughout the Christmas period.
She said: “From everyone at Hull Women’s Aid, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for being part of our mission to spread some cheer and support where it’s needed most.”
KCOM’s community grants scheme gives funding of up to £1,000 to charities, community groups and schools, working to make a positive difference to life in our region.
To find out more about KCOM’s work in the local community or to apply for a grant, click here.