'Families are not coping' - Importance of Cash for Kids Day laid bare as supporters embrace 80s theme
Last updated 27th Apr 2023
It's feared children in some of our poorest communities are being hardest hit by the cost of living crisis.
But today (Thursday) our charity Cash for Kids is launching it's biggest fundraiser of the year in a bid to help more families who are struggling.
Every £50 raised supports one child with basics like food, heating and electricity, clothing, bedding and toiletries.
It comes as the most recent statistics show 20 per cent of children in the Borders and 35 per cent in North Northumberland are living in poverty.
"That's why Cash for Kids day is so important," charity manager Carly Mackenzie told Greatest Hits Radio. "These are children that we see in our communities and we have to try to make a difference to their lives.
"Things are really desperate at the moment for a lot of families. So far this year we've already supported 170 children with our rising Cost of Living grants, and we just know we're going to be inundated with more applications."
And she added: "How much money we raise on Cash for Kids Day, will determine how much money we can give back out in grants."
People across our region are being encouraged to dress up as characters from the Eighties to celebrate Cash for Kids Day, and donate online.
Ian Rendall Reid, who runs Cheviot Youth, explains why it's important: "To be quite honest, families are not coping. They are not able to afford the basic necessities of life, such as heating and food. And, as a result of this, they are getting further and further into debt.
"Cheviot Youth, with the help of Cash for Kids and other supporters, can only do so much. Quite simply we help to keep that debt down. A debt incurred by the very act of not being able to afford to live in the UK in the 21st Century.
"Cheviot Youth have always been aware of the problems facing children and young people before the Covid pandemic, mainly high incidences of poor mental health."
But he added: "Since Covid, and now with the cost of living crisis to deal with, we've seen a large increase in the number of young people we're seeing at our emotional well-being and mental health support service clinics, in Jedburgh, Kelso and Tweedbank.
"At the moment, this free service is seeing 73 clients and, if we had the funds, we'd be seeing more. That is how bad our community's mental health is.
"We are truly grateful for the work of Cash for Kids and their support of the children and families who have so very little.
"The help that Cheviot Youth receives allows us to run our food redistribution service, community cafe and holiday programmes. These provide food, warmth, a place to be, activities and trips away all for very little or, more often than not, nothing."
For more, check out our Cash for Kids Scottish Borders & North Northumberland Facebook page. And, to donate, text BORDERS to 70910 to give £10 or 70920 to give £20. You can also donate here**.**