AberNecessities, which provides basic essentials to families in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who are experiencing severe financial difficulties, received an enormous surge in requests for help at the end of 2022, and that demand has continued into 2023. This year, the charity expects to see an increase of at least 25% on 2022, as thousands of families in the region struggle to pay rising bills and care for their children.
The charity, which was formed in 2019, provided 2,704 Christmas packages to children who were facing a Christmas with no gifts from Father Christmas, representing a 100% rise in 2021.
During December, the charity discovered that many families asking for support at Christmas were unable to feed, clothe and bathe their children, as the cost-of-living crisis began to dig deeper. The team at AberNecessities, which is based in Dyce, was able to deliver personalised festive packages including gifts and clothing, and in January began to give ongoing support to those families in severe need, providing baby milk, essential clothing, cleaning supplies, school items and more.
Founder Danielle Flecher-Horn said the task in the first quarter is no less pressing than over the busy festive period.
“Just when we thought we were on top of the Christmas requests, the number of families needing essential items for their children continued to go through the roof. Our volunteers and our team worked flat out in November and December - and they continue to do so. We aimed to provide 2,500 Christmas packages but supplied over 200 more than that. Every day we heard heart-breaking stories from mothers and fathers in tears telling us that they could not provide for their children, and so we did our very best to accommodate as many as was physically possible.
“There is no underestimating the effect rising prices are having on families in Aberdeen in the city and in the shire. From Fraserburgh to Elgin, Stonehaven to central Aberdeen, there are people in our community who do not put the heating on, no matter how cold it is outside. Children are sadly sent to school in unwashed uniforms as their parents cannot dry clothes in a cold home. The essentials which we all take for granted are actually unaffordable luxuries for so many parents and children across our city and shire. Warm housing is not a privilege it is a fundamental human right.”
As the charity continues to provide baby items and clothing for children, it is urging local businesses and the local community to bring their festive spirit into 2023.
Danielle said: “We were once again astonished by the support given to us by businesses large and small, as well as individuals who contributed gifts and monetary donations to help make Christmas magic. However, now we face a year where the pressures are unimaginable. The winter is far from over, and we hope that local people can remember those who are less fortunate.”
Keith Jennings, HSEQ Advisor at Stork, a Fluor company, added: “For the second year, Stork is incredibly humbled to support AberNecessities as it continues its mission to give back to the local community and provide support to underprivileged families in and around Aberdeen. With the cost-of-living crisis ever-growing, the need for support continues to increase and here at Stork we are determined to assist however possible. Getting involved enables us to actively help make a real difference within our local community and support those who really need it.
“Our committed and enthusiastic CSR team is always planning fun, challenging, and engaging employee activities to raise money for such an amazing cause. During 2022, we raised £8,000 in aid of AberNecessities through a variety of fundraising events and Stork was the headline sponsor of their Birthday Ball.
“We truly believe in AberNecessities’ purpose that ‘No Child Should Go Without’. Stork will continue our work with the charity and hopefully beat our current fundraising record in 2023.”
Good condition, pre-loved items can be donated to the charity at specified times, and financial donations are very welcome at www.abernecessities.co.uk.