01 Feb ‘Keep the lights on’ donation fund for casual hospitality workers open for applications
Over the festive period, the Mayor’s Charity Appeal Trust launched the ‘Keep the lights on’ Crowdfunding appeal, to help raise money to support our borough’s casual workers in the hospitality industry who lost out on extra income over Christmas.
During lockdown, with hospitality businesses closed – casual workers missed out on the tips they would usually get over the festive period. They also weren’t eligible for other coronavirus related financial support.
Thanks to the generosity of residents and businesses in the borough – the ‘Keep the Lights On’ Crowdfunding initiative reached its target of £25,000 by raising a total of £25,180 from 114 donators. The total raised including offline donations amounts to over £35,000.
Now the fund is open for applications and we encourage residents who are casual workers within the hospitality industry to get their applications in from Monday 1 February to Sunday 14 February.
The Mayor of Basildon, Councillor David Burton-Sampson, said: “The community spirit that exists within Basildon is clear to see here. Thank you to all the residents and businesses that have contributed to the £35,000 raised which includes offline donations – it shows how much our borough appreciates the great work of our hospitality staff and understands the difficult position those workers find themselves in at the moment.
“Now, I’m excited to say that applications are now open – if you are a casual hospitality worker and has missed out festive tips over the Christmas period, please apply for the fund so we can give you a financial boost.
“100% of the funds raised via the crowdfunding appeal will go to casual workers in the hospitality industry living in the Basildon borough.”
Please remember to attach all the necessary documentation with your application, or it won’t be possible to accept it.
To find out if you’re eligible and to apply visit www.basildon.gov.uk/keepthelightson.
