Cranswick Charitable Trust Ukraine Fund launches to support Ukrainian refugees in Lincolnshire (Including North and North East Lincolnshire).

Cranswick Charitable Trust Ukraine Fund launches to support Ukrainian refugees in Lincolnshire (Including North and North East Lincolnshire).

Press Release – Cranswick Welcome Fund – FINAL

Staff and Trustees at Lincolnshire Community Foundation are delighted to announce a new partnership with Cranswick, one of the UK’s leading food producers. This partnership sees the launch of the Cranswick Charitable Trust Ukraine Fund thanks to funding being made immediately available.

Recognising the impact Lincolnshire Community Foundation had previously delivered in helping Ukrainians in the County, Cranswick plc approached the Foundation to distribute funds across Greater Lincolnshire to Ukrainian families and individuals who have had to flee their homes following the devastating war with Russia enabling them to rebuild their lives and integrate into our communities.

Refugees who have been here for some months may need support as they transition from living with a host to moving into their own home to live independently. At the same time, refugees who continue to arrive may need support to help them settle into their new environment. Any refugee fleeing their homeland in Ukraine can apply to the fund for financial support.  Grants are available up to £150 for individuals and up to £300 for families, although these are not cash grants.  Where an applicant is successful, Foundation staff will source the item(s) and arrange for delivery from the supplier. Funding may include electrical appliances for new homes or being able to cook homely dishes, to bicycles (including helmet, hi-vis vest and light) to enable independence in commuting to home and school.

The scheme is now open and will be run as part of a rolling programme until funds have been distributed. The Foundation team are on hand to offer support at every stage.

Hayley Crawford, Grants Manager, Lincolnshire Community Foundation said:

“Our team have already been able to offer support to 277 refugees and their families and welcome the opportunity to extend this to new arrivals as they continue to flee adversity in their home country.  Some Ukrainian refugees now have confidence to make the move into their own homes, but often lack basic living essentials which is where this fund may well be able to step in and help. We thank Cranswick Charitable Trust for their generous donation, and we look forward to working with them on this scheme. ”.

Andy Napthine, a Trustee of the Cranswick Charitable Trust said:

“We are pleased to be able to help create the “Ukrainian refugees in Lincolnshire” fund and provide support and aid for those families and individuals who have been displaced as a result of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.  A number of our colleagues are Ukrainian, and still have family and friends in the country and we are keen to help out where we can.  We are pleased to be working with the Lincolnshire Community Foundation to ensure the support and donations go to those most in need of the funds.”

To download the Fund Criteria and other documentation, please visit the grants page www.lincolnshirecf.co.uk please contact Hayley Crawford on 01529 305825 or email hayley@lincolnshirecf.co.uk.

Notes to editors

About Lincolnshire Community Foundation

Lincolnshire Community Foundation is a local independent registered charity founded in 2002 and part of the network of 47 Community Foundations across the UK delivering positive outcomes for People and Places. Our work is grounded in the value of #ChangeNotCharity. The Foundation has, since its inception, distributed upwards of £18M with emphasis on small grants delivering a big difference.  https://lincolnshirecf.co.uk/

About Cranswick Charitable Trust

The Cranswick Charitable Trust was founded in 2020 and is supported by Cranswick plc, one of the UK’s largest food producers.  The Trust exists to support causes with a social bias and includes supporting beneficiaries linked to reducing food poverty; supporting opportunities linked to employment & education and to provide support and assistance to individuals in times of need.  In March 2022, the Cranswick Charitable Trust received finding from Cranswick plc to directly provide aid and support to those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.  The funds will be used both supporting refugees in Ukraine as well as those who are resettled in the UK as part of the wider UK Government support packages.