People struggling to make ends meet in the current crisis should benefit from a new fund set up by Ventnor Town Council.

And an anonymous donor has got the fund off to a flying start with a gift of £20,000.

The Ventnor Community Support Fund has been launched tonight (Thursday) following a suggestion made at a showing of the town's new film documentary Family Voice, made by resident David George of Utility Films last month.

Scroll down to see Family Voice

The film records the experience of residents needing to use the town's foodbank and Baby Box.

The 90 residents who attended a viewing of the film at a public meeting were asked how the town could best respond.

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Establishing the support fund to support organisations with a strong track record of local work with those with low incomes was one of the suggestions.

These organisations include Ventnor Community Foodbank, Baby Box Isle of Wight, Ventnor Community Pantry and Ventnor Well-being Café.

A Ventnor Town Council spokesman said: "These groups have all worked closely with the town council over the last few years and are well placed to deliver support if they have the funding to do so."

The fund can also support further rounds of supermarket vouchers that the Town Council has previously issued to people nominated by the Foodbank, Baby Box and local schools’ family liaison officers.

The spokesman said the fund has already received a £20,000 donation from a resident keen to support the proposal as well as a £5,000 commitment from the town council.

He Said: "As Christmas and the winter months approach, the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and higher bills will increase the hardship within our communities."

Donations to the fund are invited from residents and businesses and can be made by:

  • Bank transfer: to Ventnor Town Council, Sort Code 40-45-09, A/c No. 41366998
  • Card: phone 01983 853775 or at our office, Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road       
  • Cheque: post or deliver to our office.

Donations can be anonymous and details of the fund’s organisation are available on request.