Back in April we launched our COVID-19 emergency appeal so we can continue delivering our vital support to extremely vulnerable people during the outbreak – and you have helped us smash our target and raise a magnificent £42,264!
As a charity, our fundraising was inevitably going to take a hit because of the pandemic – events like Reading Half have been postponed, many businesses are not in a position to support us, people are more strapped for cash than before, and schools can’t hold their fundraising activities. But Launchpad’s services are a lifeline to hundreds and we needed to continue supporting local people, more so than ever before.
Which is why we asked you, the Reading community, to help us raise £30,000.
With the help of our local community, during the pandemic we have been able to continue giving people who are homeless a clean, safe and stable place to live in our support housing; providing emotional support for our clients; and helping with practical things such as delivering food and cleaning supplies. We have also introduced our ‘here for you’ telephone service which offers anyone a listening ear.
Ian Caren, CEO of Launchpad said: “Whether you made a donation via our JustGiving page, have taken part in one of our Quarantine Quizzes held online or shared our appeal on social media over the last few months – you have helped us raise more than our target so we can continue supporting extremely vulnerable at a particularly difficult time. Thank you for your incredible help. Reading’s community spirit never cease to amaze me.
“But we’re certainly not out of the woods yet because we are sure the impact of the pandemic on homelessness will be felt by the people of Reading for a long time to come – whether there’s a second spike or a recession, or not. We have already been working furiously with Reading Borough Council to house those individuals put in emergency hotels and B&Bs at the start of lockdown and have seen an increase in enquiries from people with housing issues. One thing is for certain – that we will continue doing everything we can to prevent homelessness.”
If you’d like to help secure our future and enable us to plan ahead – you can set up a regular donation.
