Haverhill charity REACH Community Projects celebrates best ever Christmas Appeal – but has seen financial hardship cases soar

After a record-breaking Christmas Appeal, REACH Community Projects has thanked the public for its generosity and revealed how it is seeing soaring levels of financial hardship.

The appeal by the charity, based in Haverhill and with an office in Newmarket, attracted an outstanding amount of matched funding whereby donations up to a total of £10,000 were automatically doubled.

Donations exceeded all previous levels, enabling REACH to take on a full time debt advisor bringing the ability to lift an additional 40 families out of hardship for good.

REACH CEO Henry Wilson said: “Words alone cannot express how I and the whole REACH team feel about the most outstanding Christmas support we have ever had.

“It comes at a time when the cost of living is still rising, energy bills are set to go up and the winter weather is starting to bite.

“So, our biggest thank you ever to all those who have made things better for so many families, not just over the Christmas period but into the coming year ahead too.”

REACH provides debt counselling to families and individuals experiencing severe financial difficulties and currently has over 80 open cases, an 80 per cent rise compared with equivalent figures two years ago with almost 60 per cent of cases where energy debt is a big factor.

Another of REACH’s key activities has seen a new high in demand on it’s foodbank but this has been matched by the amazing 4.4 tonnes of food donated which will provide essential supplies for around 190 families.

Vicky Chandler, REACH’s foodbank warehouse manager, said: “The generosity of people at this time of year has been truly heartwarming.

“I know that some of our food donors are themselves hard up but nevertheless have given more, so that we can help those in the greatest need.

“It’s been our busiest time ever. We were challenged but we did not buckle, thanks to our great supporters.”

The following words from some of those helped by REACH were very typical:

“Thank you, not just because it was food but because somebody was kind enough to think of us.”

“Can’t thank you enough. I’ve actually had my heating on for a bit today for the first time.”

“Thank you so much for the food and advice. Without you I wouldn’t have got my Blue Badge this winter.”

“Thank you. Without your service there’d be a lot more tragedies. I didn’t have to go hungry so my kids could eat. ”

In passing on the thanks of those who REACH supports to those who make it possible, Steve Norris, outreach team leader, said: “It’s incredibly heartening that, due to the record giving of so many, we have been able to continue to help so many in need during these difficult times.

“And, let me say to anyone facing hardship and financial crisis that we are always here for you. Please do get in touch.

“Even if we have helped you previously, we are here to help as many times as is necessary. This goes for the foodbank too.”