MAKING sure no Isle of Wight family goes without food or shelter during the coronavirus epidemic is the goal of a new Isle of Wight appeal.

Isle of Wight charitable giving body WightAID has teamed up with five other bodies and the Isle of Wight Council and has just given out its first £11,000 worth of grants.

The crisis committee formed by the bodies will get money out to organisations co-ordinating help for Islanders at this time.

Teaming up are The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, The Daisie Rich Trust, The Isle of Wight Sports Foundation, The Isle of Wight Foundation, The High Sheriff's Trust and WightAID.

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Isle of Wight high sheriff and WightAid founder Geoff Underwood said: "All of these groups share a common vision – that no family on the Isle of Wight will go without food or shelter over the next three months.

"We formed this group to make sure we shared our donations around in a fair and even manner so charities that are undertaking critical work at this time, get their fair share.

“Our group is keen to hear from charities that need help as they work to help us all through this difficult time. Our support will be focused upon food poverty, social isolation, mental health and bereavement.”

Meeting earlier this week, the groups agreed to grant £30,000 to the most needy charities and will meet again later this month to give a similar amount, depending on the need.

The organisations who will be receiving aid initially will be the IW Foodbank, Donate it Don't Dump It, Age UK IW, the IW Youth Trust, West Wight Community Hub, Pan Together, IW Cab, the Pop-up Soup Kitchen, Suicide Prevention and Intervention IW, WightDASH, Home Start, IW Carers and People Matter.

Mr Underwood said: "I would like to thank the trusts and foundations for joining this group, so that we can make a difference together.

"On behalf of the whole Island community, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who is working so hard to protect us from this awful virus, to those who are keeping essential services going, to everyone in the NHS, and especially to the army of volunteers who are stepping up and supporting the most vulnerable in our community – thank you so much.”

The Isle of Wight Council Appeal is still open, with donations being funnelled through The WightAID Foundation, who ensure that every penny raised goes straight to charities on the Island.

You can donate at www.wightaid.org/donate