Sussex Charities call for public support to receive funding-voting now open
Sussex property lettings and management specialist PS&B has chosen three charities as finalists in its new campaign to help deserving causes, and it’s now down to a public vote to see which group is selected to receive a £500 grant.
The initiative aims to support charities and not-for-profit groups and services that have felt the devastating financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the three causes to make the shortlist are:
Cancer United, Angmering
Cancer United is a support charity for local people whose lives have been affected by a cancer. Following a life-changing diagnosis of breast cancer, Sussex resident Jan Sheward founded the charity when she experienced first-hand the lack of appropriate health and wellbeing support available to those going through cancer treatment.
The charity aims to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of those with cancer from diagnosis onwards, inspiring them to embrace the things they can do and to refuse to be defined by what they can’t whilst also giving support to those close to them.
Since being established in 2012 the charity already offers: use of a cancer specific gym and pop up gyms across Sussex, two minibuses so members can to go on social occasions or travel to events together, two community choirs, a walking, jogging and running club, a walking football initiative, a support bus and much, much more.
Motor Neuron Disease Association – West Sussex North Branch
The West Sussex North branch of Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND) supports people living with MND and their families in Crawley, Horsham, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, and the surrounding areas.
With MND, messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles. This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste. MND can affect how people walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. It’s life-shortening and there is no cure, and as such, 42 people die of the disease every week in the UK.
The West Sussex North branch of Motor Neurone Disease Association contributes to the cost of essential equipment for people living with MND, providing aids and adaptations in a timely manner. The PS&B grant would be used for contributing to the cost of Volunteer Association Visitor expenses which enables its volunteers to offer emotional support and information to people living with and affected by MND. Alternatively it could help cover a Quality of Life grant for someone living with MND or a carer which enables people to go places or do things that make their lives that little bit better, such as visiting an accessible hotel, covering travel costs to visit family, having a course of complementary therapy, or employing a dog walker or a gardener.
Chichester Information Shop for Young People
The Information Shop offers free and confidential information, advice, support and counselling to any young person aged between 13 and 25 years old. Although based in Chichester the charity works with young people from all around and neighbouring towns such as Bognor Regis.
There is predicted to be an influx of young people who will need support in the aftermath of lockdown and cancelled schooling. As such, the charity is experiencing a very busy period supporting local young people. Its current location is too small to comply with social distancing, so it is having to relocate.
The £500 would help the charity promote its location move, help with volunteer costs and kit out the new building. Chichester Information Shop for Young People consists of a small team of staff and volunteer counsellors. Winning this grant could help the young people in the area for much longer than the time of a donation as mental health has such an impact on all aspects of life and must be supported at a young age before it has a longer term effect.
Michael Barber, Director of PS&B, said:
“We were overwhelmed with the number of nominations received for our first £500 donation. It is clear there are so many incredible causes in Sussex that need our help and, while we have whittled it down to three finalists, it is now up to the public to choose who they think should be awarded the first donation.”
Votes can be cast in two simple ways. Either by visiting PS&B’s Facebook page and clicking the chosen group on the poll that will be pinned to the top page, or by emailing psandb@pmwcom.co.uk and putting the name of the group being voted for in the subject line (only one email vote per address will be counted). Voting will close at midnight on Sunday 20th September 2020.
For more information on PS&B please visit www.psandb.co.uk.