Insurance firm Direct Line Group is giving £100,000 from its Community Fund to provide essential supplies for homeless people in Ipswich during the Coronavirus emergency.
It has made the money available to the Borough Council to buy dozens of ‘starter packs’ for families and individuals moving into the Council’s temporary accommodation.
The packs include bedding, crockery, saucepans, nappies, toiletries, electrical goods, children’s drawing books, food and shopping vouchers – items that can help people at their most vulnerable. People who have been sleeping rough will be offered a change of clothes or vouchers.
The funding has come from the Direct Line Group Community Fund, which aims to support vulnerable people and get support into the hands of people who need it immediately.
Ipswich Borough Council operates five temporary and emergency homeless units across the town, with 81 rooms for families and individuals.
Penny James, CEO of Direct Line Group said: “We’re delighted we can support people in Ipswich who are facing emergency situations. It’s exactly why we set our Community Fund up in light of the Covid-19 crisis. These are unprecedented times and it’s down to all of us to make a difference where we can.”
Councillor Neil MacDonald, the Council’s Housing portfolio-holder, said: “This is a wonderful donation from Direct Line Group. The money will enable us to support some of the most vulnerable people in Ipswich by giving them some basic goods when they arrive in temporary accommodation. These are supplies most of us take for granted but will make all the difference to people who have nothing or very little. I want to thank the company for selecting Ipswich for their charitable funding – I can assure them and everyone it will be money well spent.”
Caption: Penny James, CEO of Direct Line Group
