Donate to the Horsham District COVID-19 Appeal

A community support appeal has been launched to help with funding for the Horsham District Community Volunteer Hubs and community group Horsham Matters during the coronavirus crisis.

The Community Volunteer Hubs have been established by local community groups, parish and neighbourhood councils, social media groups and Horsham District Council for the vulnerable of the Horsham District.

Helping local people to support local people

The Horsham District COVID-19 Appeal has brought together 22 of the 27 hubs who are supporting vulnerable people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

If you would like to help support the Horsham District Community Volunteer Hubs and other local organisations helping vulnerable people, you can now donate funds securely by text or online.

The support appeal is possible thanks to registered charity The Hub Beeding and Donorfy who provide award-winning fundraising software to non-profit organisations across the UK.

The funds raised will be allocated to each hub on a weekly basis and although the criteria for all the hubs will be similar, there is no one size fits all way that they will use the funds. Each hub will have the independence and flexibility so that they can decide how the money is best spent in supporting their communities and vulnerable residents.

This flexibility is important because although each hub is facing similar challenges, the way that they approach, manage and solve these challenges are unique to their own location and situation. This helps make sure that available resources are put to the very best use for each community.

Hubs can use their proportion of the funds for a range of support, including but not limited to:

• Supplying food and other items on behalf of someone unable to pay
• Cover the cost of prescriptions or medication on behalf of someone unable to pay
• Transport related to providing help at 45p/mile
• Stationery and administrative resources in operating a volunteer community hub
• Equipment and other measures to enable community support to be delivered
• Buying material to make mouth coverings to government advised specifications
• Creative projects to support local families

You can donate as little or as much as you would like. To give £20 by mobile, just text HUBS to 70085. Texts cost £20 (the donation) plus one standard rate message.

Alternatively you can donate by debit or credit card below. Your data will be held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

If you pay tax the value of your donation will be increased if you take the Gift Aid option.

The Horsham District COVID-19 Appeal has set an initial target of £10,000 by the end of May 2020 to get the appeal off the ground, however this is just the beginning. There will be a need to support the community long after this first target has been reached and as the situation changes.

Funds are distributed proportionately to the Community Hubs and a small number of local support organisations including Horsham Matters. The calculations for dividing the funds between the hubs is based upon size of the residential population they cover.

The appeal is supported by Horsham District Council and donations are processed by The Hub Beeding and given directly to the Community Hubs and Horsham Matters where the help is needed.

Commenting on the launch of this appeal, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Community Matters and Wellbeing Cllr Tricia Youtan said:

“This is a very worrying and concerning time for many people and this appeal will provide additional help for our community. The community spirit which has grown so rapidly across our entire District in recent weeks to establish these hubs is amazing and this is an opportunity to pull together even more to help our volunteers deliver improved help to those who need it most.

I urge as many of you that feel able to start donating now, your donations will be well used and hugely appreciated.

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Community Matters and Wellbeing Cllr Tricia Youtan

Your donation is processed on behalf of the Horsham District Covid19 Community Hubs by The Hub, Beeding - registered charity number 1173420. Funds are distributed proportionately to the Community Hubs and Horsham Matters. Read more over on our COVID-19 Community Support web page.

For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk