Helping hand: ‘Most vulnerable’ to benefit from £266,000 RB donation
DISTRIBUTION: A Fareshare food parcel
One of Hull’s biggest employers is donating £266,000 to support vulnerable communities among the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Global health giant RB has announced the funding to six charitable projects to support their work on health and wellbeing.
The donations will enable Fareshare, Hull Homeless Community Project, HEY Mind, John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, The Food Partnership, and Forum to continue critical support for some of the most vulnerable groups in the city.
Beneficiaries will include people at risk of suicide, and those affected by food poverty or homelessness, as well as young entrepreneurs who may not be eligible for government business grants.
Rachael Starkey, human resources manager at RB, said: “As a major employer in the region, we’re delighted to be able to support the local community at such a challenging time. The pandemic is having a significant impact on people’s health and wellbeing, and we are proud to be able to give something back with the help of these amazing charities.”
Councillor Daren Hale, deputy leader of Hull City Council, said: “We are delighted to be working with RB to support some of our most vulnerable residents in the city.
“Charities in Hull play a vital role in supporting our communities, and these donations will continue to ensure we can assist people in what has been some of the most challenging times in recent years.”
The donation to HEY Mind will be used to set up a new service for people at risk of suicide, or who have attempted suicide. It will also support those who have experienced the death of a loved one through suicide.
VITAL SUPPORT: The message from Patrick, who was supported by Hull and East Yorkshire Mind
Fareshare will use its funding to supply and redistribute food to community organisations that support vulnerable people, and to support unemployed people to get jobs in the food, logistics and warehousing sectors.
Hull Homeless Community Project will use the donation to continue its support for local people at all stages of homelessness.
It said: “Hull Homeless Community Project are ecstatic to receive this significant support from RB, in addition to our charitable partnership which has been in place for the last two years. This support will enable HHCP to continue and bolster its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting vulnerable adults and children across Hull.”
RB is the trading name of the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies. The company was established in Hull in 1840 and has significant research and development and manufacturing operations in the city, employing 1,500 people. This donation builds on the global commitment it has already made through its £32m Fight for Access Fund.