Bedford Borough Council Mayor’s Charity has donated £1,500 to three local charities providing vital services to those in need in across the borough.
Bedford Open Door, Bedford Foodbank and SMART CJS have each received £500 donations.
Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “With the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had, these three charities have continued to provide crucial support to those in need across Bedford Borough.
“I am glad we were able to make this donation. As COVID-19 restrictions ease, we are looking forward to safely getting back to fundraising events and being able to donate more money to these fantastic local charities.”
- Bedford Open Door provides free and confidential counselling to young people aged 13-25.
- Bedford Foodbank, supported by the Trussell Trust, is part of a foodbank network spanning the UK. They combat hunger and poverty across the country.
- SMART CJS provides safe spaces to work with vulnerable people within our communities
Bedford Foodbank previously received £1,000 from the Mayor’s Charity in June 2020. It remains one of the Mayor’s charities due to their invaluable work throughout the pandemic.
Sarah Broughton, Bedford Foodbank project manager, said job loss, illness and family breakdown had increased the number of households using the service over the last 18 months.
She said: “With this money Bedford Foodbank will be able to continue to feed some of the most vulnerable people living in the Borough of Bedford.
“Thank you again to the Mayor’s Charity for recognising our work and for their donations.”
