Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, has joined forces with a local charity to set up a new fund to provide support to the families of children attending primary schools in the city who are in most need this winter.
Hull City Council is sponsoring Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University to establish the fund, which aims to reduce barriers to children in primary school engaging in education, by helping their families with some of the challenges that they will face over this period.
Councillor Ross has kick-started the fund by allocating £10,000 towards the new Children’s University’s Hardship Fund called Helping Hands.
Businesses from Hull, Sewell Construction, KCOM and Northern Gas Networks, have also made donations, along with a philanthropic donation and a grant from the Angus Lawson Memorial Trust. The leader of the council, Councillor Mike Ross, is now calling on other businesses to add to the fund to increase its impact.
Leader of Hull City Council, Mike Ross said: “We know this winter is going to be particularly hard for a lot of families. The work of Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University is so important in supporting those most in need.
“We also know that schools are often best placed to identify the families who most need support, and so we will be working with the Children’s University as part of our approach to alleviate the impact of the Cost of Living crisis. The fund will complement other activity within our approach to support people in need in the city.”
Throughout November businesses and philanthropic organisations are asked to consider making donations, to raise the current funding of £60,000 to an initial target of £100,000.
In December, schools will refer families most in need of support linked to access household devices that will help reduce their need for energy (such as energy-efficient light bulbs, electric blankets, hot water bottles, winter clothing) and provide warm clothing and supermarket vouchers. Support will be tailored to the needs of each family.
The Thrive Co-operative Learning Trust has agreed to provide administrative support to assist the activity required to enable the Hardship Fund to be applied to help those most in need.
Natasha Barley, of Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University, said: “Many families were struggling to make ends meet before the cost of living crisis started. So we knew that it was imperative that we did something to support families this winter.”
Jonathon Roe, CEO, Thrive Co-operative Learning Trust, said: “Schools know their families well and are keen to support those most in need through this difficult winter, when the cost of living is having such an impact. The support that will be given will help children with basic needs – food and warmth – and this will also impact positively on their education.”
Businesses that are able to donate can contact Hull City Council on 01482 615071.
