KCOM supports eight good causes with festive grants

KCOM has announced the winners of eight special community grants to help make Christmas a little more magical this year.

The eight winners include two East Yorkshire foodbanks, charities for children with learning disabilities and an east Hull Community centre providing Christmas presents and treats for local youngsters.

KCOM community coordinator Rachel Bowerman, said it was a difficult choice picking eight winners from more than 30 applications but was delighted that the grants would now be helping to bring some Christmas cheer.

She said: “It’s the season of giving here at KCOM and we’ve been busy donating gifts and volunteering our time through local charities.

“This year we wanted to do something extra to support the good causes in our area and our grants programme was a great way to reach more people. Through these eight groups, we will have reached more than 100 families and 350 children at a time where extra support is always welcome.”

The grants winners are:

Aim Higher

A local charity supporting children, young people and their families affected by autism and mental health issues. With a £500 Christmas grant from KCOM, Aim Higher has been able to provide 120 children with a Christmas present.

Gill Jagger at Aim Higher said: “We are self-funded so this grant is amazing. Thanks so much, KCOM!”

Barton Foodbank

Barton Area Food Bank is based at the Salvation Army Church in Barton. The group provides food, essential toiletries and household items that service users could not otherwise afford. They also provide advice and signposting to relevant information and other advisory services.

The Christmas grant has been used to supply extra seasonal food and gifts which will be added to basic food parcels, making Christmas more special.

Janet Pemberton, of Barton Area Food Bank, said: “Thank you on behalf of all our clients. This is great news. It will be well used!”

Bridlington Nursery Foodbank

Bridlington Nursery School has up 250 children aged 2 to 4 attending. Many of the children come from economically deprived families, so the school set up a food pantry in 2018 to help support them. This grant from KCOM has enabled the school to provide 50-80 families with access to perishable goods like fruit and vegetables over the Christmas period.

Sarah Welbourne, Bridlington Nursery School, said: “We really appreciate the support. It’s a made a positive difference to the families that we support at a time when it is important that children should have something to enjoy and remember.”

Downright Special

Downright Special supports children and young people with Down syndrome in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. They assist and support families and professionals in all aspects of the care and education of children with Down syndrome. A Christmas grant from KCOM has enabled the charity to hire an entertainer for their annual Christmas party.

Louise Smith, Downright Special, said: “A huge thank you from everyone at Downright Special. Your support is hugely appreciated.”

Eastmount Community Centre

This community centre aims to improve the conditions of life for residents in the Longhill and Bilton wards of Hull. A Christmas grant from KCOM has enabled them to provide 150 children with a Christmas present at their festive disco.

Peter Donnelly, of the community centre, said: “A massive thank you to KCOM, who we use as our telephone and internet provider at the community centre. Giving something back is brilliant.”

Find Charity

Based in Hessle and Cottingham, Find was established in 2001 by parents of young people with severe learning disabilities to provide an inclusive service for their children to have the same opportunities as their peers. The Christmas grant from KCOM will allow the group to attend a pantomime.

Find’s Tamsyn Larvin, said: “Thank you so much, we are all so excited!”

Hull Women’s Aid

Hull Women’s Aid supports women and children who are experiencing/fleeing domestic violence/abuse, by providing temporary accommodation, telephone and direct advice and individual support to any woman who requests it.

KCOM offered to provide a grant to cover the cost of entertainment at their Christmas celebration for families who have fled abuse and will not be in their own homes throughout the Christmas period.

Shaunagh Brook-McClean, of Hull Women’s Aid, said: “From everyone at Hull Women's Aid, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for being part of our mission to spread some cheer and support where it's needed most.”

Together Women

Together Women supports women and girls across the North of England, with a particular focus on women who are involved in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system. From their safe women’s centres, they provide tailored support across a range of different pathways, including housing, domestic abuse, debt and unemployment. They applied for a Christmas grant from KCOM to cover the cost of a pantomime visit in Hull.

Group spokesperson Kirsten Bolland, said: “Thank you. Christmas is often a difficult time for our women and receiving this grant means we can spread a little Christmas spirit.”

KCOM’s community grants scheme gives funding of up to £1000 to charities, community groups and schools, working to make a positive difference to life in our region.

To find out more about KCOM’s work in the local community or to apply for a grant click here