Lewes Coronavirus Volunteers launch crowdfunding appeal: how you can help

Lewes Coronavirus Volunteers was set up six weeks ago by local town planner Emma Amies and already has an incredible 1,200 members and 600 volunteers helping our most vulnerable during the crisis.

The group, which is working in partnership with Trinity Church, where it is coordinating and providing a foodbank ‘hub’, has received strong backing from Lewes District Council, Lewes Town Council and private donors.

But in order for the group to meet the urgent needs of the community, it desperately needs help with fundraising.

The group has launched a crowdfunding appeal – with a target of raising £30,000 in 14 days.

Lewes District Council leader Zoe Nicholson said: “I cannot overstate the contribution LCV efforts have made to keeping people safe and supported.

“Since the outbreak began, the council and other public services have been working around the clock to respond to the challenge of Covid-19.

“It is people such as LCV who have been the heroes of this outbreak and made sure that no one in the community is left without the support they need.”

The funds will go towards supporting three food banks in Lewes, via the group’s ‘hub’ at Trinity Church.

It will directly support NHS frontline staff and carers, the group said.

Meanwhile, it will build a database of professionals who can offer well-being, mental health, financial and legal advice.

And it will invest in infrastructure such as an improved website and database.

Last week, Lewes RFC fielded a team to join forces with the group and helped the foodbank collection.

The club started its own assistance services – led by the men’s firsts – while members of the women’s team have been sewing scrubs and donating. Minis and Juniors are also working on lego projects and being creative.

More than 100 volunteers, three political parties, a cricket team, rugby team, women’s football club team plus Darth Vader collected for Lewes’ food banks outside Waitrose and Tesco.

To find out more about Lewes Coronavirus Volunteers, visit www.lewescoronavirusvolunteers.co.uk.

To make a donation, visit the crowdfunding page at https://crowdfunder.co.uk/lewes-coronavirus-volunteers.

People can also follow the group’s activities on Instagram and Twitter.

The board of trustees includes Emma Amies, Jules Middleton, Oli Henman, Dave Sinclair and Robert Whitford.

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