Newsquest’s Welsh titles launched the Our Communities Together appeal in partnership with Community Foundation Wales in February, asking readers, businesses, and organisations to donate what they can.
The money will be used to give grants to local community organisations, to help people with the cost-of-living crisis.
The cost-of-living crisis has not only impacted on individuals and families in Wales but also on voluntary sector organisations who are seeing significant increases in operating costs.
At the same time as the voluntary sector in Wales is facing increased costs, it is also facing a rise in demand for the services it provides. Voluntary sector organisations help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities with help and advice around; debt and benefit support; access to food, clothing, and other essential items; support for older people, and much more.
The appeal has already been supported with donations by Welsh businesses such as Wind2 Limited, Welsh Water and Dragon Taxis and now by Welsh Government with their generous donation, added the publisher.
Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt said: “As a society we are increasingly reliant on the voluntary sector to provide support to the most vulnerable members of our communities.
“They play a vital role through the likes of childcare support, foodbanks helping households feed their families and advice services about how people can maximize their incomes.
“We’re glad that we can make this donation to the Cost of Living Fund and would urge other organisations to make donations themselves too, as this fund will make a huge difference to communities across Wales.”
The donation was announced in front page stories on Newsquest’s two Welsh daily titles, the South Wales Argus in Newport, and the Leader in Wrexham.
Gavin Thompson, regional editor Wales for Newsquest, and editor of the South Wales Argus, said: “Things aren’t getting easier for our readers right across Wales. That’s why Newsquest, together with Community Foundation Wales, launched Our Communities Together, because – from Wrexham to St David’s and Newport to Cardigan – together we can help make the lives of people who are really struggling a little better.
“This generous donation from the Welsh Government will make a difference to communities across Wales. It will enable us to work with Community Foundation Wales to distribute grants to help local community groups to continue to support people who are struggling with the increasing cost of living.
“The more businesses and organisations who can join the Welsh Government in pledging donations in the final weeks of the appeal, the more we can do to help.
“I’m looking forward to our news titles sharing the stories of how this money helps people in the coming months.”
Richard Williams, chief executive of Community Foundation Wales said: “Public sector service delivery in Wales is already under pressure. The services the voluntary sector provides often complement public sector delivery and contribute to filling some of the gaps. The cost-of-living crisis is putting many of these voluntary sector organisations at risk.
“We are delighted to have received this generous donation from Welsh Government and hope that it will encourage more people to get involved and make a big difference to the many people struggling through the cost-of-living crisis.
“If we want these groups to still be here beyond this crisis, we as a society need to come together to support them – that’s why we need support from people and businesses in Wales now more than ever.
“The grants from this appeal will go a long way to ensuring that the organisations supporting those most in need can keep doing so now, and in the difficult months to come.”
To make the most out of each donation, donations up to £25,000 from individuals can be matched, matching every £1 donated with an additional £1.
the publisher says thanks to Steve Morgan Foundation, The Waterloo Foundation and Moondance Foundation, Welsh businesses can also make their donation go further with match funding.
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