We Love MCR charity celebrates first 100 days of coronavirus community response fund

We Love Mcr Charity, the partner charity of I Love MCR®, launched the Covid-19 Community Response Fund on 24th March to support the most vulnerable people in Manchester during the pandemic.

Since then, for 100 days We Love Mcr has awarded an average of £7,900 every day in grants to charities and groups on the frontline.

239 grants have already been awarded to local charities in just 100 days, totalling £790,000 in grants awarded. The charity dug into its reserves to put £350,000 into the fund, and has raised a further £623,000 from generous public and corporate donations.

But now, with £790,000 already awarded, and a further £110,000 of grants already in the pipeline, there is now just £73,000 left in the fund and the charity is appealing for more money to help continue its vital work.

Formerly known as the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Charity Appeal Trust, the charity rebranded to adopt the look and feel of the I Love MCR® logo “because it’s a symbol of civic pride and has a positive reaction with residents”.

To mark the first 100 days of the Response Fund, We Love Mcr is today releasing 10 videos on social media from charities saying what differences they are making with their grants received.

“This grant will help support people living with dementia, reducing isolation and loneliness and improving quality of life and wellbeing,” says Lydia Thurgam at Age Exchange.

“At the start of Lockdown we were able to give every guest a brand new mattress, duvet, pillow and bedding, plus the confidence that their room was Covid-free,” says Breigenea Welberton at Caritas Morning Star Hostel in Hulme.

“All the women we work with are living in dire poverty. We received a grant to support them with vital food and toiletries during Covid-19,” says Sandhya Sharma at Safety4Sisters.

“We are here to protect people from unfair evictions. Our grant allows us to employ an expert Solicitor who can be on your side for free, to prevent illegal evictions and to give hope to those where it’s desperately needed,” says Jason Tetley at Gtr Mcr Law Centre.

And Laura Urhobo from Cancer Care Diaspora says: “A big thank you to We Love Mcr Charity! We provide healthy cooked meals to BAME families shielding due to cancer. We deliver hot meals regularly to their doorsteps, and put a smile on their faces!”

Speaking as Chair of the Board of We Love Mcr Charity, the Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Abid Latif Chohan said: “Manchester is responding to the challenges of Covid-19 with compassion and urgency, as we all pull together.

“The Community Response Fund has already ensured that thousands of our most vulnerable neighbours have been fed, comforted, supported and protected.

“There is still so much we can do to address the impacts of Covid-19 in our communities. If you can afford to, please donate to our Response Fund today.

“We promise every single penny will provide urgent help on the frontline straight away.”

Donations can be made through the charity’s website welovemcrcharity.org or you can text MANCHESTER 10 to 70470 to give £10.

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