A COVID-19 Community Appeal has been launched by South Kesteven District Council to provide much needed financial assistance to local charities and community groups as they continue to help vulnerable residents cope with the impact of the Coronavirus.

Alongside the practical support and advice already available to groups through the SK Community Hub, the council has joined forces with the Lincolnshire Community Foundation to enable people to safely and securely donate funds to be used solely within South Kesteven.

The Leader of SKDC, Coun Kelham Cooke, said: "By launching this appeal we aim to support those most in need in our communities by furthering the excellent work that our charities and community organisations are already doing.

"We have seen first-hand how generous the residents of South Kesteven can be in times of crisis and the response from charities, community groups, and individual volunteers has been tremendous. What we want to do now, is to provide a way for residents who want to make donations, big and small, to support this community effort can do so with the confidence and reassurance that their money will be used locally."

Priority will be given to eligible projects that help and support vulnerable residents in South Kesteven who are impacted by COVID-19. These may include projects that support access to food and medicine, wellbeing initiatives – physical and mental – as well as support services.

More information is available online where donations can also be made direct to the fund.

Any eligible not for profit groups wishing to apply for a grant from the fund should contact the South Kesteven Community Hub on 01476 406177.

As well as seeking donations, the council is also appealing for community groups who can offer help to make contact with the South Kesteven Community Hub on 01476 406177 or via email at [email protected]