A BROMSGROVE charity has issued a rallying call for residents to vote for it to win £3,000 which could make a real difference to its cause.
NewStarts, which provides practical help and advice to Bromsgrove and Redditch residents, has been shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2014.
Depending on the amount of votes received an award of £3,000, £2,000, £1,000 or £500 could be handed out.
If it wins the grant, the community-based Social Enterprise charity, which helps around 1,200 people a year, will use the money to continue its important work supporting its volunteers who keep the charity going.
NewStarts, which was nominated by a member of the public, is dedicated to providing free and affordable household items to those most in need either starting a new tenancy or maintaining an existing tenancy.
The cause also uses its time to act as a collection service for unwanted bulky household items and electrical appliances and to offer a uniquely wide range of work and volunteer placements for people.
As well as this, NewStarts also provides learning opportunities through a variety of basic practical courses and one-to-one coaching and mentoring. It also offers financial planning and debt counselling and helps people fill out job applications and housing and benefit claims.
It also recycles desktops and laptops as well as being one of Bromsgrove’s largest foodbanks.
Marion Kenyon, NewStarts’ chief executive, said the Lloyds Bank Community Fund would make a huge difference to the charity.
It would enable it to provide equipment, uniform and refreshments for the charity’s hard-working volunteers, making a difference to the lives of hundreds of families and individuals in the Bromsgrove area.
“When I found out we had been nominated I jumped up and down – I do it whenever we get good news like this.
“This one is particularly exciting because it involves us getting the community involved as well.
“We get an update on September 22 that tells us how we are doing, if it’s good you’ll probably hear the screams from here.” she added.
Residents have until October 10 to show their support by visiting https://lly-cf.co.uk/DMK, texting VOTE DMK to 61119, tweeting #CommFundDMK or by visiting their nearest Lloyds branch.
