Incommunities is backing a local campaign to keep thousands of children around the district warm this winter.
The housing group is pledging £2,000 toward the No Child Cold campaign, urging Bradford businesses, community groups, and residents to get on board too.
With lockdown meaning thousands of children are doing online learning from home, many families are seeing their energy bills soar.
It’s estimated at least 21,000 youngsters in the Bradford district are living in households that are struggling to afford the cost of extra heating this winter.
The No Child Cold campaign is a partnership including Bradford Council, Citizens Advice, and voluntary sector groups.
Give Bradford, which supports local community organisations, is helping process donations to the campaign. So far, online donations have reached nearly £10,000.
Geraldine Howley, Incommunities group chief executive, said: “The impact of lockdown at this time of year is having a devastating affect on many households who are already struggling to make ends meet.
“We want to show out support for this campaign and ensure those families that need help can receive vital support quickly through this initiative.”
Councillor Adrian Farley, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for children and families, said: “We know many families are struggling financially in our district, and the pandemic has made this worse.
“All the partners involved in the No Child Cold initiative have one aim, that no child should be at home cold during lockdown this winter.
“We are so grateful to Incommunities for this generous donation. Every donation, however small, makes a difference and will help children and families in our district.”
No Child Cold is being administered through Citizens Advice and will pay out one-off grants to eligible households to cover additional heating costs.
Families who qualify for the support will be referred to get help via schools and the voluntary sector, with forms being sent out to the schools and also to foodbanks and other groups.
The campaign is running until March 31.
Image: Geraldine Howley and Dave Dickens, Incommunities’ director of Income and Customer Services
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