Cost of living crisis: Crowdfunder launches new appeal with poverty charity to help people most in need

As the cost of living crisis threatens to push hundreds of thousands of people into financial hardship, national poverty charity Turn2us has partnered with Crowdfunder to launch a new appeal to help struggling families get by.

The new partnership will ask people donating to any project on Crowdfunder to extend their charitable giving by also donating to help families at risk of poverty through Turn2us.

With energy bills rising and inflation soaring, millions of families across the UK will be forced to make the unthinkable choice between feeding their families and paying their bills over the next 12 months.

In 2021, Turn2us answered over 108,000 calls for financial help and advice with approximately 7,000 of those from people in a financial emergency, with little or no money to pay for basic goods and services such as food, utilities and clothing.

Working-age households on low incomes are hardest hit, including families with children, households in London and Black, Asian and minority ethnic households.

The cost of living crisis comes at a time when the levels of destitution in the UK have been increasing since before the pandemic. An estimated 1 million households experienced destitution at some point in 2019, a 35% increase since 2017. This equates to 2.4 million people, including 550,000 children. This number is expected to rise to 5 million people from April.

Crowdfunder, the UK’s leading crowdfunding platform, hopes the new appeal will help to make a real difference and shine a much-needed spotlight on the crises people are facing.

Tracey Molineux, Head of Supporter Engagement at Turn2us, says:

“For millions of us, the steep increase in the cost-of-living will undoubtedly result in people facing impossible choices between keeping a roof over their heads or feeding their children. This isn’t right. We’re already hearing how many household budgets simply can’t stretch anymore. We must not underestimate the scale of the crisis we are facing, especially as the next 12 months will push many families into financial hardship.

“When you support this special Turn2us appeal on Crowdfunder, you’ll help provide vital financial support to families on the lowest incomes as well as helping to ensure that in the future, everyone has enough money for essentials.”

Simon Deverell, Co-founder and Creative Director at Crowdfunder, added: "The rise of energy bills, combined with inflation, means that the number of households living in “fuel stress” will rise by 2.5 million to 5 million. It’s a dire situation and we want to do everything we can to support those facing the cost of living crisis, which is why we’re working with Turn2us on their new appeal."

People can find out more information about the appeal and donate here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cost-of-living-crisis-turn2us