A Kensington and Chelsea charity which helps local residents with the cost of living has been given a £25,000 boost.
The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation, established in 2008 with the aim of helping people to have an equal opportunity to live happy and healthy lives was given the sum by Omaze, which runs house draws across the country.
The borough is among the richest in the UK, but more than 23% of its neighbourhoods are among the poorest in England and Wales.
The money was donated after a house draw in Chelsea, in which a townhouse worth £5million and £100,000 in cash was won by a sofa surfing student nurse, 49-year-old Oceanne Belle, from London.
It will make a significant contribution towards supporting the foundation’s wide range of local projects, said the foundation, which include a daily 3-course table-service lunch reaching 1,200 vulnerable residents a year, where they can be signposted to other support services.
Other projects include a support programme for 300 refugees and asylum seekers living with severe and complex mental health conditions as a result of their experiences.
Richard Briance, chairman of the Kensington + Chelsea Foundation said: “Giving to local charities is an important way to support the immediate community, this money will have a significant impact on the people who need help the most in our area.
“Last year, 95p in every £1 was spent on the Kensington + Chelsea Foundation’s charitable activity and the projects we funded reached over 21,000 residents with support and services providing a lifeline to those in crisis.
“Beyond funding, we research and improve awareness of key social issues affecting our community and bring charities together to network and collaborate.”
Matt Pohlson, the co-founder and CEO of Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is absolutely delighted we have been able to make a contribution to Kensington + Chelsea Foundation – which will help it continue its remarkable work supporting people affected by poverty and isolation in the area."
