The Diocese of Plymouth has received £40,000 from the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation to provide support to individuals and families struggling with financial hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This money is part of a donation of £1 million generously given to the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Bishop Mark O’Toole expressed his thanks: ‘We are immensely grateful for the grant that the Diocese of Plymouth has received from the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. The generous grant of £40,000 will allow us to support some of the most needy individuals and families in hardship and struggling, financially, because of the current Coronavirus pandemic. May the Lord continue to bless the Gubay family for their outstanding charitable leadership at this time.’
The funds will be distributed in two ways:
Support for organisations providing food hampers or vouchers
Funding will be distributed to organisations providing food to those in most need across the Diocese of Plymouth. This fund will be administered by Caritas Plymouth, on behalf of the Diocese. We will work through our schools, parishes and organisations reaching the most vulnerable. More details of this scheme and eligibility criteria can be obtained from caritas@prcdtr.org.uk or by calling Deborah Fisher on 01364 645421. All applications from community organisations or non-Catholic schools will require the support of the local Catholic Parish Priest. This fund only accepts applications from organisations and not individuals.
Grants for essential items for families
This scheme will be managed by the Catholic Children’s Society (Plymouth). The charity accepts applications from individuals across the Diocese of Plymouth and is designed to provide essential items such as cookers, fridge/freezers, washing machines and furniture (beds, cots and mattresses) to those in most need. More details can be obtained from ccs@prcdtr.org.uk or by calling 01364 645420.
In both cases funds can only be provided for families or individuals who are in exceptional circumstances and are facing a crisis.
These funds are time limited and not for ongoing support needs. The funds will be closed to new applications when all the funding has been allocated.