The Hertfordshire Children's Fund, a charity that supports families in Hertfordshire who are struggling to make ends meet, is calling on the community to donate and support their cause. The charitable fund provides grants of up to £500 to families to purchase essential household items such as washing machines, cookers and beds, which are vital to keeping children healthy, safe and clean.
The Hertfordshire Children's Fund is managed by the grant making charity Hertfordshire Community Foundation and has provided vital support to families across the county for over 25 years. The charity's work is more important now than ever before, with many families facing financial hardship due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Paul Robin, CEO for Hertfordshire Community Foundation said: "Many of the families we help have fled domestic abuse with nothing. Without the support of our grants, families who are struggling to make ends meet may not be able to provide basic necessities for their children. This can have a detrimental effect on a child's health, education and wellbeing.
“The Hertfordshire Children's Fund relies on the generosity of individuals and businesses to fund the grants. We are incredibly grateful for the support we receive from our community which has enabled us to support over 455 families in the last year. However the demand for our support has drastically increased year on year. We are doing everything we can to help as many families as possible, but without the continued support of our community, we will run out of funds and have to turn families in need away. If you are in the position to do so please consider making a donation. Any amount, no matter how small, can help make a significant impact on their quality of life and ensure that children in the county have access to the essentials they need to thrive."
One family that has benefitted from the Hertfordshire Children's Fund's support is the Smith family (names have been changed for confidentiality purposes).
The Smith family had been rehoused after the mother fled domestic abuse. The mother was receiving support for her mental health and various other groups to cope with her isolation. She was paying for flooring to make the property safe for the baby but had no money for white goods.
Without a cooker, the family had to rely on friends and family to cook for them or eat snacks and convenience food. The mother was unable to cook for her six-month-old baby, which was causing stress and anxiety for the family.
Thanks to the Hertfordshire Children's Fund, the family was able to receive a grant for a new cooker with installation. This grant allowed the mother to cook nutritious meals for her family and ensure that her baby was getting the best start in life.
Speaking about the support they received, Ms. Smith said, "The grant from the Hertfordshire Children's Fund has been a lifeline for us. We were really struggling without a cooker, and I was so worried about how I was going to provide proper meals for my baby. Thanks to the charity's support, I am now able to cook healthy meals for our family, and I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."
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