The Gloucestershire Community Foundation has approved 64 grants as part of its Gloucestershire Coronavirus Emergency Appeal.

As a central point of support for local charities and community groups in Gloucestershire, GCF works to provide funds, support and advice to organisations across the county.

Coronavirus means  these organisations are facing both a shortage of income and increased demand for their services. 

 Food donations have reduced due to stockpiling, fundraising events have been cancelled and local charities cannot get out into their communities to do their usual fundraising.

The grants totalling £203,812 will provide additional financial support, allowing them to continue supporting the most vulnerable people in Gloucestershire during these difficult and unprecedented times.

Emmaus Gloucestershire, Gloucester Foodbank, Family Haven, The Music Works, Young Gloucestershire, Hollie Gazzard Trust, Leonard Cheshire, Headway Gloucestershire, Goals Beyond Grass and Tewkesbury Foodbank are among the organisations to receive grants.

Grants manager Sarah Sharma said: "It has been an incredibly busy month for our small team at the Gloucestershire Community Foundation launching our Gloucestershire Coronavirus Emergency Appeal and opening the Emergency Response Fund for applications.

"Every day we talk to organisations who are working so hard to support vulnerable people in our local communities and we are delighted to have been able to offer support to 64 charities and community groups in our county with grants totalling more than £200,000.

"A big thank you to all our supporters and donors who have given so generously, with your help we can continue to help many more fantastic organisations in Gloucestershire."

Chief executive officer Talitha Nelson said: "Here at Gloucestershire Community Foundation, we are hearing continually of the impact that coronavirus is having on communities; both personally, financially and with the capacity of charitable organisations to support vulnerable people.

"It is vital that we all come together and support each other in these difficult and uncertain times."