Ways you can help at this difficult time

We hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well.​

Thanks to everyone who has sent us messages of support this week.​

The team are working as always to help and support those who need us and we are working on procedures to help ensure we can meet the expected uplift in demand for our services over the coming weeks and months.​

Ways you can help:​

[**Edit **  Due to changes in Government advice, we are unfortunately no longer able to take donations of food]** Donate food. We will distribute items donated to local food banks and community shops (long-life foods such as rice, pasta, tea, coffee, cereal, long-life milk, tinned fish, vegetables and fruit are perfect. No perishables please). Whilst we’d normally love to say a huge thank you in person, you can simply drop items in the box in our office reception on Millstone Lane without needing to see anyone. But we are very grateful! ​

Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert) has set up a pot of money to support charities helping in this crisis and we are applying for a grant. If you hear of other such pots of money which we may not be aware of please do let us know (better to hear 10 times than not at all!) Email rachel.markham@charity-link.org​

If you are at home and having a de-clutter over the coming weeks and you find forgotten and unwanted gifts, if you think they may be suitable for a future tombola or raffle please do save them for us. (Unfortunately, due to logistics and as often needs are very specific, we do not take donations of unwanted furniture and white goods).​

Keep positive and keep in mind our future events – we are going to need your support more than ever! Stick our Leicestershire 3 Peaks Challenge in your diary (hopefully going ahead on the 27th September) as a goal and get out in the fresh air and do some walking in preparation. We very much hope our Barn Dance at Bawdon Lodge Farm will go ahead too (12th September) – something to really look forward to! ​

If you know anyone who may be struggling financially over the coming weeks and months, please do share details of Charity Link. We are here to help people get over crisis situations (including if there are delays in accessing benefits after a change in circumstances) and for those in long term financial hardship.​

And of course we really appreciate any monetary donations at this time. It’s not going to be an easy time. We are expecting a huge rise in need at the same time as a significant fall in fundraising income. If you can lend your support, now or in the coming weeks, we – as always – would be so grateful – www.charity-link.org/donate