City Bridge Trust helped spread some festive cheer over Christmas by delivering a £1 million funding boost to charities supporting disadvantaged Londoners.
In a move old Saint Nick would be proud of, the City’s charitable arm pumped a seven-figure sum into the coffers of the London Community Foundation to aid its cost-of-living emergency grants programme, Together for London.
The programme is offering grants of up to £10,000 to small charities that are providing emergency support this winter, including food and essential supplies, mental health support and financial advice.
City Bridge Trust Deputy Chairman Paul Martinelli expected strain on charities across London to increase as the turbulent financial climate and cold weather impacts families nationwide.
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Martinelli said: “Demand for support from charities is already extremely high and is only going to increase as the cold weather begins to bite and the effects of the current financial climate take their toll.
“The London Community Foundation has the networks, experience, resources and knowledge to ensure funding is channelled without delay to charities working on the ground with the people who need it most.
“This funding will make a real difference to thousands of vulnerable Londoners, providing them with the support they need to stay safe and well.”
City Bridge Trust’s cash injection brings the total raised by the London Community Foundation for Together for London to £2.2 million.
The London Community Foundation CEO Kate Markey said: “In a crisis, people turn to those they trust – small, local charities and the community leaders who run them.
“Small charities that have barely taken a breath since the pandemic, are already responding to the needs of their communities this winter – offering warm spaces, hot meals, blankets, advice, often a friendly face and a cup of tea.
“But they are struggling with rising demand for their services and rising costs to keep their organisations open.
“At The London Community Foundation we are proud to partner with City Bridge Trust for our Together for London fund to provide vital support to vulnerable and marginalised communities and the small charities who support them across our capital.”
People can find out more about Together for London and donate to its appeal at The London Community Foundation.
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