Buckinghamshire families in crisis need your help
Heart of Bucks' Family Angels project helps those in urgent need of support
Families in Buckinghamshire who unexpectedly find themselves in crisis need your help.
Family Angels is the appeal from Heart of Bucks and they are asking for more funding at the moment.
Stephen Townsend is one of their Community Advocates.
Recently he helped a mum and her two kids access funding, after they fled domestic abuse:
"She found that having provided as much as she could, she couldn't afford school uniform for her daughter.
"When we were talking to her, her first response was 'It's lovely to have someone who cares, who is willing to talk to me."
The campaign, which is managed by Heart of Bucks, helps Buckinghamshire-based families with dependent children who are in an immediate crisis.
By providing one-off financial support to these families, the crisis situation can often be resolved before the problem escalates.
For one local family, the struggle began when their son was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
The child's mother had to give up work to care for him and the family could not afford the travel costs to hospital.
Family Angels was able to support them by covering the cost of travelling regularly to Oxford for vital chemotherapy.
The child's mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, said:
"Thank you so much to whoever is involved in helping my family at such a dire time in our lives.
"I cannot begin to tell you how it will take a bit of the pressure off so I can concentrate on finding the best care for my son.
"From the bottom of my heart, I am extremely thankful that you could help."
All donations to the Family Angels campaign will help to make a big difference and will be used in a multitude of ways to support those in need.
From moving costs for someone fleeing domestic abuse, to household essentials, such as a cooker or washing machine for low-income families.
To ensure that the funding reaches those who need it most, all applications must come via a Community Advocate; these are local support providers who are already actively engaging with the family.
This also ensures that other avenues, such as public services, have been explored first.
Henry Allmand, CEO at Heart of Bucks, said:
"Family Angels is lifeline for local families during a time of crisis. Even a small amount of money donated can help to change someone's life.
"Through our partnership with Community Advocates across Buckinghamshire we help those who are genuinely in need of support. Please help us make a difference to local families and donate today."
If you are able to help,** donate online.**
If you are a taxpayer, you can also gift aid your donation and instantly increase the value by 25%.
You can also donate by sending a cheque made payable to 'Heart of Bucks' to: Heart of Bucks Family Angels, Sunley House (4th floor), Oxford Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FQ.