Funding boost brings hope for local charity

Funding boost brings hope for local charity

28 January 2015

A LEADING charity which delivers vital support for vulnerable adults across the district has been provided with a funding boost.

But Good Morning Down has warned it still requires additional finances to maintain its telephone care and befriending service in the new financial year.

Health Minister Jim Wells has confirmed government funding provided to the organisation via the South Eastern Trust will be available in the new financial year, while the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has provided Good Morning Down with £2,000.

The PCSP cash will help see the organisation through to the end of March along with other donations it received after the Recorder highlighted Good Morning Down’s financial concerns shortly before Christmas.

Charity co-ordinator, Linda Baker, said she’s pleased the South Eastern Trust funding will continue to be available but said Good Morning Down still requires additional money.

“We have enough finance in place to see us through until the end of March and into the first weeks of the new financial year, but we still require additional money and hope other funding streams can be identified,” she explained.

“We hope to secure the money we need to continue providing a service aimed at vulnerable people right across the district,” added Linda.

Councillor Naomi Bailie believes the money the charity secured and the guarantee of government funding “will go a long way to ensuring the organisation can deliver a first class community service.”

She said she’s “delighted” money has been secured from the voluntary and community sectors which are also facing financial constraint to ensure Good Morning’s Down short term future.

Councillor Bailie said Sinn Fein sought additional funding through the local PCSP which resulted in the £2,000 offer being made.

She continued: “This money, along with an offer from the Public Health Agency, will mean the organisation can continue to make a real and positive difference to the lives of the most vulnerable.

“The long term future of Good Morning Down is very important and I am pleased government funding will be available in the new financial year. This will give some piece of mind to the volunteers and users of the Good Morning Down service.”

Councillor Bailie said she plans to work with Good Morning Down to see how she can assist in helping the organisation deliver cost savings to ensure it has a sustainable future.