INSURANCE giant Phoenix Group has increased its support for charities in Scotland by donating to the work of Cyrenians, Social Bite and The Trussell Trust.
Phoenix Group is donating £20,000 each to Cyrenians and Social Bite, both of which help people who are in vulnerable situations and either on the edge of or already experiencing homelessness.
The funding is part of a UK-wide package of community aid in response to Covid-19. The Trussell Trust, which supports a network of food banks, including several in Scotland, will receive £50,000.
As well as giving other support, Cyrenians has repurposed its Community Cook School into a production kitchen, cooking up to 1000 meals a day, seven days a week. These are distributed to vulnerable families and NHS staff in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Falkirk.
With Covid-19 increasing food poverty, Social Bite Cafes are delivering 6000 emergency food packs each weekday and free daily takeaway for 160 people at the cafes in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Phoenix Group’s donation will assist with the operational costs.
The Trussell Trust’s network across the UK delivered 6250 emergency food parcels a day during the last two weeks in March.
Susan McInnes, group director, Scotland for Phoenix Group and CEO of Standard Life Assurance, said: “At this time of economic and social uncertainty all charities are vulnerable and we recognise how critical it is that financially able businesses help charities continue with their crucial work
“We hope that others who are able to do so lend their support.”
Cyrenians CEO Ewan Aitken said: “As we come out of lockdown, and into whatever the ‘next normal’ may bring, it’s vitally important people can continue to access the support they need.”
Josh Littlejohn, CEO and co-founder of the Social Bite Group added: “This generous donation by our partners at Phoenix Group has already made a substantial impact.
“We have been able to produce and distribute thousands of meals, ensuring the most vulnerable individuals and families are able to access fresh food with dignity.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here