CHAIRMAN of the trustees of Fair Frome, Bob Ashford, is donating his winter fuel allowance to the charity dedicated to helping local people in need, to relaunch its Winter Fuel Appeal.
Most people have experienced hard times and can appreciate the difficulties caused by a sudden bill, losing a job or a drop in expected income and the repercussions this can have on a tight budget. Under these circumstances some hard choices must be made; buy groceries or turn off the heating? For an increasing number of people in Frome, the choice can be that simple.
One of the ways Fair Frome has helped local people is by establishing the local food bank. Fair Frome takes referrals from local agencies such as the CAB and other organisations people turn to in crisis. This year there has been a huge increase in the number of bags of essential groceries that have been distributed. Over the six months from October 2016 to March 2017, 761 parcels were given out, compared with 488 over the same period last year, an increase of 273.
Most people in receipt of food parcels are people in work, but struggling to make ends meet. This increase in the demand has almost emptied the food bank at times. Fair Frome also has a furniture bank, providing donated items of furniture for people in need. By providing these essential items, the charity can give people a financial breathing space to sort their problems out.
As well as the Food and Furniture Banks, Fair Frome also helps people who feel alone and isolated in Frome with the ‘Community Dining’ scheme. Residents of a designated local area are invited to share a meal, make new friends and discuss their problems with people who can help.
These three projects, run by Fair Frome, help to tackle social and financial inequality in the town and can make a lot of difference to some local people’s lives. As well as donations to the food and furniture banks, Fair Frome urgently needs cash to help it continue these services. The group says, “Many people are, of course, unable to donate their Winter Fuel allowance, but please consider Fair Frome if you can; the money will not be wasted but will make life a lot easier for some of our community.
“For online donations, please access our Local Giving Page which automatically increases the contribution with gift aid if you are eligible https://localgiving .org/charity/fairfrome
“Alternatively, cheques can be made payable to Fair Frome and sent to us at Fair Frome, Frome Town Hall, Christchurch Street West, Frome BA11 1EB.”
For further information, please contact Wendy Miller-Williams on tel. 01373 488578 or email atwendy@fairfrome.org
Above: Bob Ashford, chair of trustees of Fair Frome outside the Fair Frome centre at the rear of the Town Hall, handing over a cheque to Judith Loughlin, who is leading the Winter Fuel campaign for Fair Frome.
