Record number of referrals for The Salvation Army Blackpool
published on 17 Jan 2022
Record number of referrals for The Salvation Army in Blackpool as families are pushed further into poverty.
The Salvation Army Blackpool provided a record number of children with Christmas presents giving welcome relief to struggling families as the last month of 2021 saw a dramatic increase in numbers from the year before.
Over 2,000 children had a Christmas to remember thanks to generous donations from the local community to the church and charity’s present appeal.
The corps (church) located on Raikes Parade in the town, exceeded 2020’s appeal figures of 1,700 in late November as families struggled to make ends meet from being pushed further into poverty due to job losses and reduced income.
The number of referrals in 2021 almost tripled compared to that of the pre-pandemic Christmas of 2019 when 750 children were supported.
Captain Naomi Clifton, joint leader of The Salvation Army in Blackpool said: “We are seeing that people are depending more and more on charity to help get them through day to day life with many living hand to mouth. Low paid jobs, zero-hour contracts, and the cost of living increasing are all factors that affect many within our town, especially those that rely on seasonal work.
“The pandemic has affected Blackpool tourism tremendously and we will continue to see the effects long into this year when those most vulnerable within our local community will need support from charities more than ever.”
Alongside the Christmas Present Appeal the church and charity put together and distributed 420 food hampers as the fallout from changes to Universal Credit, among other challenges, continue to make numbers of those in need soar.
Captain Clifton added: “The local community helped us put smiles on the faces of over 2,000 children, and many more family members, and whilst this is a wonderful feeling it reinforces the stark truth that there is an enormous amount of need amongst us; all year round, not just at Christmas which we will sadly continue to see well into this year.”
The Salvation Army Blackpool is continuing to support some of the families it helped at Christmas with further food parcels as the rise in the cost of living and reduced incomes over the winter months continue.
You can support the work of The Salvation Army in Blackpool via donations to the Just Giving fundraising page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-salvation-army-blackpool.
