Over 100 Scottish charities have received a grant from the STV Children’s Appeal in response to the cost-of-living crisis, with struggling families benefiting from direct assistance around food, clothing and energy costs. From December to March, £500,000 of funding has been distributed to local and national charities that support children and families affected by poverty across Scotland.
Funds raised during activities such as the Big Scottish Breakfast, the STV Appeal Cup and viewers' generous donations during the STV Children’s Appeal Show have contributed towards the grants that have been issued.
Blockquote open In recent months, the charities we support have told us about the immense pressures that families are facing during the cost-of-living crisis, where absolute essential needs have become difficult to meet. We wanted to find a flexible way to support families and these grants will provide a bit of relief to those that need it most. A huge thanks to our viewers and fundraisers for their continued support to the Appeal; the money they helped us raise last year is helping to make a difference for vulnerable children and their families. Blockquote close
Natalie Wright Head of STV Children's Appeal
Scotland-wide charity Aberlour received a £200,000 grant for their urgent assistance fund. Chief Executive SallyAnn Kelly OBE said: “Aberlour has seen unprecedented levels of applications to our Urgent Assistance Fund due to the cost-of-living crisis; a crisis that has been catastrophic for families across Scotland already struggling to make ends meet. This grant has enabled us to help families feed and clothe their children, heat and light their homes and even provide beds for many children.”
Hamilton-based Covey work collaboratively with families and have taken a flexible approach with the grant, enabling them to target support directly at the point of need. CEO Lee Johnstone said: “Through person centred support, one young person has received a new bed and no longer needs to sleep on the floor, one family has received a fridge, so their food stays safe and fresh, and one teenager told us ‘I feel like someone is actually listening to me.’"
Over 240,000 children live in poverty across Scotland, which is one in four children. Families already struggling have faced increased pressure due to the cost-of-living crisis, a crisis that has deepened poverty and inequality. For more information on the STV Children’s Appeal and to donate, visit stvappeal.tv.
ENDS
Notes to editors; further quotes from charities supported by the Appeal across Scotland:
- AberNecessities in Aberdeen used the grant to help with the material needs that many families are now struggling to meet. Founder Danielle Flecher-Horn said: “We used the grant to provide children with cosy blankets, hot water bottles, pyjamas and much more.”
- Charity Dundee Bairns based in Dundee used the grant to deliver hot meals. Chairperson David K Dorward said: “This grant allows us to deliver a hot evening meal to 15 after school Tea Clubs in schools located in some of the most deprived areas of our city and provide clothing to Dundee families who are suffering the most during the cost of living crisis. We send a sincere thanks from the many children and families who will benefit from this STV Children’s Appeal grant.”
- Michaela Collins, CEO of Peek Project in Glasgow said: “PEEK is using the grant to support children and families through the cost-of-living crisis with food and fuel. This support is incredibly important to ensure the health and wellbeing of our families at such uncertain and challenging times.”
- Thomas Lynch, Co-Founder of Dads Rock in Edinburgh said: "At a time of unprecedented rises, this funding is an absolute lifeline for low-income families. It will help families to focus on things that matter more than money."
Media Contact:
Fariha Saeed, STV | fariha.saeed@stv.tv | 07816 195965