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The final half a million pounds from Severn Trent’s £1m COVID emergency fund has been donated to charities and non-profit organisations across the region.The emergency funding was created to help the incredible groups on the frontline supporting communities through the pandemic, as well as to provide support to those charity groups who are feeling the financial strain as a result of COVID through the Recovery Fund.

Liv Garfield, Severn Trent CEO said: “We knew when the virus hit and we all went into lockdown that our communities would need help, which is why we created our emergency fund. 

“We were conscious, though, that not everyone would need help right away, which is why we held back half a million pounds to support non-profit organisations which have struggled through the pandemic to get back on their feet. We're so pleased to share that the final £500,000 has been has now been offered to those amazing community groups and charities most in need of our support right now.”

Charities that have benefited have included Age UK, Myton Hospice, St Johns Ambulance, and Walsall Society for the Blind  so that they continue to provide their local services to improve community wellbeing, and support vulnerable customers.

• Central and Birmingham £!63,000
• Chester £6,000
• Derbyshire £116,000
• Gloucestershire £36,000
• Leicestershire £112,000
• Nottinghamshire £115,000
• Shropshire £61,000
• Staffordshire £137,500
• Warwickshire £126,000
• Worcestershire £87,000
• Regionwide £40,000

“It really means a lot to us that we’ve been able to support these incredible charities through these challenging times,” adds Liv. “Our communities really are at the heart of everything we do, so we’re extremely happy our emergency funding has been able to support those who needed help right away as the virus peaked, as well as support to those groups in need of a helping hand through our Recovery Fund so that they can continue to help make a real difference to their local community.”

The Myton Hospice in Warwickshire received £10,000 from the Recovery Fund, Chris Willmott, Corporate Fundraiser at The Myton Hospices said: “A huge thank you to Severn Trent for this fabulous donation of £10,000, which will have a massive impact on Myton’s ability to continue to provide its frontline services, free of charge, to terminally ill people across Coventry and Warwickshire.“The support of individuals, friends and businesses like Severn Trent has never been more vital than it is during the current Pandemic and at what is a future-defining time.“So a huge thank you from everyone at Myton, in particular our patients and their families, for this amazing donation.”

Walsall Society for the Blind received £5,000, Chief Executive, Amanda Reed said: “Covid-19 has made the incredible challenge of living with sight loss so much more difficult in every way. So much more isolating and so much more terrifying. With the help of the Severn Trent Recovery Fund, Walsall Society for the Blind has been able to continue its vital community outreach work to ensure that everyone living with sight loss has the support they need right now to help them rebuild their confidence and to adapt their skills so that they can regain their independence during this difficult time.”

Rosa Barratt Head of Development at Allsorts Charity Gloucester said: “With thanks to funders such as Severn Trent, Allsorts had been able to continue delivering activities to children with additional needs and much-needed support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our offer has developed on an almost weekly basis, in direct response to families greatest needs. This emergency funding allowed us to be reactive and adapt where necessary, as well as supporting us at a very critical time, when other funding sources were limited. Katy Rodman has been finding the parent support extremely valuable. She says: "Allsorts is a lifeline for me and my son. Prior to lockdown we were going to trampolining and family sports days together and I was attending the family and carers drop-in. During lockdown I've received regular telephone support, including signposting information and advice. It's been nice keep in touch with others using the Zoom 'Coffee and Catch Up Sessions'. I know that should I need them, Allsorts are just a phone call away!"