Crowdfunding bid launched to keep St Albans Home-Start service afloat
Charity - Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
A crowdfunding campaign to raise £5,000 for the district’s threatened Home-Start service has got off to a flying start.
£1,000 was pledged in 24 hours after the launch of the crowdfunding campaign last week which needs to raise £5,000 in 30 days.
The money is needed to help replace the £60,000 which is being withdrawn from Home Start St Albans City and District as part of Herts county council funding cuts.
Crowdfunding gives everyone the opportunity to be involved by collecting small amounts of money from a large number of people within a specified time period.
The target is to raise £5,000 by October 9 to help fill the funding gap when the £60,000 from the county council is withdrawn at the end of the month.
Without additional funding, Home-Start will struggle to meet the increasing need for support from families in the local community.
Each week it receives up to two referrals from families struggling to cope due to illness or disability, financial issues, mental health problems or isolation.
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A steady stream of pledges have been received from many individuals and companies since the crowdfunding initiative was launched.
Scheme manager, Suzy Moody, said: “The crowdfunding campaign is very different to our usual fundraising activities but our funding cut generated so much media and public interest we felt we could harness this support to benefit our families.
“The fact that the pledges are only realised if we reach the £5,000 target makes it a little risky but adds to the challenge. Receiving pledges of over £1,000 in the first 24 hours was a terrific start to our campaign but we still have a way to go and need to maintain the momentum.”
Suzy added: “We are incredibly grateful for the amazing support that we have had so far during this challenging period for our charity.” Approximately £1,200 provides weekly support for a family for a whole year.
For further details and to pledge, go to Home-Start’s crowdfunding campaign website at https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/supportingHomeStartStAlbans.
