STV Children’s Appeal grants immediate funding to FareShare

As Scotland faces massive challenges in the wake of the coronavirus, there is an immediate need to help vulnerable families across the country with the most basic of needs, including food supplies.  

The STV Children’s Appeal is announcing today a grant of funding from the monies raised through the 2019 Appeal of £400,000 to FareShare – a network of charitable food redistributors who receive good quality surplus food across the industry which they then distribute to frontline charities and community groups. 

At this time, the STV Children’s Appeal is keen to collaborate with other charities across Scotland to work together as a sector by directing funding as quickly as possible to help those impacted by the coronavirus – especially the most vulnerable families and communities.

Gillian Kynoch, Head of FareShare, said: “FareShare is very pleased to receive this grant from the STV Children’s Appeal. We will be working during the current crisis to distribute food to charities that support vulnerable people across Scotland. We support a network of over 1400 organisations from Lerwick to Dumfries. The money will help us to help these frontline community organisations as they rise to perhaps the biggest challenge we have all ever faced.”

Simon Pitts, Chief Executive of STV and Trustee of the STV Children’s Appeal, said: “When the STV Children’s Appeal was set up the trustees wanted to ensure that it had the flexibility to respond to any situation to help those most in need.  As a charity, we work hard to help the most vulnerable in society and it is those people who will be hit hardest by the coronavirus.  We’re strongest when we pull together and respond quickly, and we wanted to offer immediate support to Scotland’s charitable sector to help those that need it most.”

The Scottish Government has match funded the monies raised by the STV Children’s Appeal since the inception of the charity.

Aileen Campbell, Communities Secretary, said: “We are providing a £350 million fund to support people and communities in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Overcoming this challenge will require everyone – councils, the third sector, businesses and communities in their widest sense to work together.

“I am grateful to the range of organisations stepping up to provide support to people at this time of crisis and kind donations and support from charities like STV Children’s Appeal are incredibly valued.”

You can donate to the STV Children’s Appeal, who are working closely with other charities to direct funding to vulnerable individuals and families in need at this time.