As part of Volunteers Week today ( 1 June) a Cumbrian charity is highlighting how family celebrations across the county are helping raise awareness of the need for volunteers and funding.
Fundraising for Carer Support Cumbria charities has been hit by the pandemic and economic crisis, and the organisations supporting Unpaid Carers across the county are also looking for volunteers in all areas.
Research by the Charities Commission highlights the impact of the pandemic on charities, with the majority of 60 per cent seeing a loss of income, and a third, 32 per cent said they experienced a shortage of volunteers.
Unpaid Carer support organisations across Cumbria, like other charities, were unable to run their annual fundraiser events and demand for services has increased. The pandemic had a massive impact on the lives and well-being of Unpaid Carers, increasing isolation and negatively affecting people’s health and wellbeing.
As life returns to a new normal, the impact of the economic crisis is also hitting charities as people have less cash to donate. However, Carer Support Eden’s Administration and Finance Manager, Heather Westerman says donations in place of gifts for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries are becoming popular ways of helping support the charity.
Heather said: “When celebrating special birthdays, many people are now saying they have everything they need, and would prefer people to donate the money friends and family would have spent on a present. We are seeing more birthday donations which is a real help to our charity.
“The option to nominate a charity on Facebook to celebrate your birthday is another option people are starting to use, which is a real help to Carer Support Eden.
“As a registered charity, we rely on money raised by individuals and organisations – and fundraising like this also raises awareness of the work we do to support Unpaid Carers in our area.
“We are also grateful to families who make a donation in memory of someone special.
“All donations, no matter how big or small, are greatly appreciated. And you can now raise money by doing your shopping – at no extra cost to yourself.
“This new way of helping raise money whilst shopping is with Easyfundraising.org.uk
“This is a great way to raise money for Carer Support Eden just by shopping online. You don’t pay anything extra. When you visit a participating retailer’s website the ‘activate your donation‘ notification will appear. Just click the reminder and donations will be added to your cause automatically. You’ll never forget a free donation again.”
Donating isn’t all about cash, your time is valuable and by volunteering you can help make a real difference to Unpaid Carers across Cumbria. There are shortages of Volunteers for charities across Cumbria. You can contact your local Carer Support organisation to find out more:
· Carer Support South Lakes, Email: admin@carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk Tel: 01539 815970
· Carlisle Carers Email: admin@carlislecarers.co.uk Tel: 01228 542156
· Carer Support Eden Email: enquiries@edencarers.co.uk Tel: 01768 890280
· Furness Carers Email: admin@furnesscarers.co.uk Tel: 01229 822822
· West Cumbria Carers Email: general@westcumbriacarers.co.uk, Tel 01900 821976
