Aberlour launches further Poverty Relief Fundraising Appeal

This winter sees the highest cost of living ever for Scots, and children are paying the price.

Across Scotland, children are going without the basics – things most of us take for granted – and the need for help has never been greater.

Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund is running dangerously low and without help will run out by Christmas.  This means that disadvantaged families across the country will struggle to pay for essentials. We are launching our further Poverty Relief fundraising appeal and running our television advert featuring Emma again to raise vital funds for those most in need.

Like Emma and her mum:-.

• Almost half of the families who apply to Aberlour’s emergency fund don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
• More than 50% of the families who apply to the fund need clothing for their children.
• 20% of the families who apply to the fund don’t have a bed for their children.

One mum who is supported by Aberlour describes how poverty makes her feel: “It’s been really hard having to sit in the dark with the kids if my electricity’s cut off or you’re freezing. As a parent you just feel like a failure. You feel like what have I done so wrong that I can’t afford to give my kids better food or have to go without electricity. It’s just horrible.”

Laura, another mum supported by Aberlour said: “I don’t feed myself, I have only put enough on for the wee ones and there’s not enough for me, so I don’t eat.”

The Urgent Assistance Fund provides poverty relief for struggling families. Emergency cash grants are given to these families to access the basics required to feed and clothe their children and to provide beds and bedding as well as heating and lighting for their homes.

Upon receiving support one mum said: “I’m stuck in this rut and without financial support from people like Aberlour, I don’t know what I would do. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a hole and I can see the ladders, but I can’t reach them, but with Aberlour’s support I feel like I can start to get out.”

Last winter Aberlour was flooded with applications for the emergency fund due to the cost-of-living crisis. Due to the high demand, the charity launched its inaugural “Poverty Relief” campaign and as a result Aberlour helped over 1,000 children, providing much needed relief to them and their families.

Since April 2020, Aberlour has given out over £2.9million in Urgent Assistance to around 8,877 families who have been tipped into poverty.  Applications have been awarded in every local authority in Scotland. The average amount given to these families is £326, which has been used to cover life’s essentials and requirements.

Chief Executive, SallyAnn Kelly OBE says: “This winter, as we continue to face the biggest cost of living crisis in recent memory, more and more families are turning to the charity for help, but because of this soaring demand, the emergency fund is going to run out of money by Christmas, when it’s needed most.

“Too many children are going without and for many families it’s a constant worry of where the next meal is coming from, and if there’ll be enough money to heat their home.

“Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance is a lifeline to disadvantaged families all over Scotland and every penny of cash donated goes directly to those who need it most. If you are in a position to donate – however big or small the amount – we would be infinitely grateful for your support.”

IF YOU CAN, PLEASE SUPPORT CHILDREN IN DESPERATE NEED THIS WINTER BY DONATING TO ABERLOUR’S POVERTY RELIEF APPEAL TODAY.