NewstrAid responds to Cost of Living Crisis to help hundreds from the industry to keep warm this winter

In direct response to the current cost of living crisis,  NewstrAid have announced that they will again be adding a supplement to their annual Winter Comfort Grant which is paid to around 400 of their most vulnerable beneficiaries during October.

This week, grants totalling £100,000 will be distributed to hundreds of industry colleagues who need the most support. The grants will help recipients to cover the cost of heating bills, buy warm bedding and purchase winter clothing over the coming months.

Sinead Flood, Welfare Manager for NewstrAid said: “Each year our Winter Comfort Grant helps hundreds of our beneficiaries to keep warm over the winter period. Having added a supplement to last year’s grant in response to the economic situation in 2021, we felt compelled to review the amount again in 2022 and have included an additional uplift to the grants paid to households this October. We hope the increased grant will go some way to help those who are facing serious hardship this year.”

Payment of the increased grant coincides with the launch of the charity’s first awareness day which aims to highlight the plight of many of NewstrAid’s beneficiaries who are unable to cover the cost of heating this winter. ‘Woolly Wednesday’ will take place on Wednesday 19th October 2022 and asks industry colleagues to come together to increase awareness about the charity and raise some money to support its work by wearing their best woollies, posting pictures on social media and donating a few pounds to the charity. More information can be found at www.newstraid.org.uk

Sinead Flood added; “Anyone with a newstrade connection who is struggling to cope this winter should contact our welfare team on Freephone 0800 917 8616.   We can offer a wide range of financial, emotional and practical support including state benefit advice to anybody from the industry.

-ends-

For Media information contact: Lindsay Rule; lindsay@newstraid.org.uk

About NewstrAid  www.newstraid.org.uk

NewstrAid is a charity which aims to provide welfare for people who are, or have been, employed in the selling and distribution of newspapers and magazines in the UK and who find themselves in hardship. This includes their immediate family and dependants who are in need or in distress. The charity has been in existence for over 180 years and counts Charles Dickens amongst its presidents.