Winter campaign launched to help struggling families in Surrey
It's estimated 23,000 children are living in poverty across the county
A campaign to help families who are struggling with rising costs this winter has been launched in Surrey.
The charity Community Foundation for Surrey is hoping to raise £100,000 to help individuals and families afford basic essentials, like food and heating.
The majority of families with children living in poverty are in work, which Hana Rhodes from the charity thinks is a "great injustice".
Hana Rhodes, from Community Foundation for Surrey, told Greatest Hits Radio about the struggles some families are facing.
"It's our friends and families, the people you meet in the supermarket, in the pub, at the school gates.
"We're seeing increases (in rent and mortgage fees) in hundreds of pounds for a two-income family who previously were fine, and that doesn't even include people who were already struggling.
"It's just a great injustice and it's a real struggle for people who are experiencing this kind of hardship. We're not unique across the country but it's the fact that living costs in Surrey can be higher and there's a hidden need in Surrey."
It's estimated around 23,000 children are estimated to be living in poverty across the county, according to the charity.
Thanks to support in 2022, Community Foundation for Surrey raised over £239,000 in their previous winter campaign.
We're told the money was used to fund items to 41 organisations, including food banks, baby banks and warm banks.
This year, in addition to similar projects, they will be raising money to provide direct funding to individuals and families via schools, food banks, pantries and other local organisations.
Some of the money raised will also be used to fund debt advice for people who need it.
More information about the campaign can be found on the Community Foundation for Surrey's website.