Crisis-hit residents in extreme hardship during pandemic are helped by Rural Action Derbyshire's fund

People living in isolated rural areas of Derbyshire who are suffering extreme hardship amid the Covid-19 pandemic have been thrown a financial lifeline by a charity.
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Rural Action Derbyshire (RAD) has set up a fund to support those in crisis, which has been helped by a £2000 award from The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

Boosted by donations to the charity’s website, the new Rural Hardship Support Fund will provide regular food parcels and assistance with some critical household expenses.

Support will be targeted at people living in isolated rural communities, particularly farmers and workers in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and countryside services.

Rural communities in extreme financial hardship during the pandemic will benefit from the new fund.Rural communities in extreme financial hardship during the pandemic will benefit from the new fund.
Rural communities in extreme financial hardship during the pandemic will benefit from the new fund.

Beverley Parker, chief executive officer of Rural Action Derbyshire said, “We are so grateful to The Prince’s Countryside Fund for helping us support people in rural Derbyshire. We know many people in rural areas are struggling, mainly in relation to jobs. Some people may have lost their job, others have to stay at home to take care of children and not everyone qualifies for government support.

“We want to make sure people can pay their bills and aren’t going hungry.”

Claire Saunders, director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “Rural organisations like Rural Action Derbyshire are the lifeblood of many far-flung communities. They have adapted to provide unprecedented support to rural people, quickly, and efficiently, with the help of a dedicated army of local volunteers. We are so grateful to all our sponsors, who by supporting The Prince’s Countryside Fund, have enabled the provision of these Rural Response Emergency Grants during this crisis.”

Applications to the hardship fund will be by referral from Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy team, Farming Community Network, Farming Life Centre, Citizens Advice or Feeding Derbyshire food banks or community cafe.

The applicants will need to fulfil criteria such as being unable to access other support including government schemes , in severe emotional distress or poor mental health.

For further information or to make a donation, go to www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk. More details are available via email: [email protected]

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