Aberdeen Cyrenians is thanking local people for their help in delivering vital services for vulnerable people in recent weeks.
To date, over 40 businesses and nearly 600 people have contributed alongside their third sector partners: Aberdeen Foyer, Cfine, and Social Bite.
This has meant nearly 700 households have benefitted from frontline support in the last 4 weeks, with 4,487 care parcels delivered by their AC2U team.
Lynda Reid-Fowler, community services lead said: “For vulnerable people in this city; people in hunger, in danger, without a home and in dire need; this pandemic is life-threatening.  
“It’s never been more important to get help to the people that need it, and with the amazing support we have had from the community, we’ve been able to continue and expand what we offer. 
“If you can imagine, for example, someone that’s just fled an abusive relationship, they would be in temporary accommodation, possibly without furniture or even light fittings yet, as shops are closed at the moment. They wouldn’t have a phone line set up, so no wifi to reach the outside world to help with social distancing, they might not even have gas and electric connected.
“We’re working on resolving these sorts of issues for many that we support – so on top of having to deal with the traumatic impact of abuse: the impact on their mental health, the practicalities like sorting out their finances, changing their children’s school, perhaps dealing with criminal cases or injunctions, and recovering confidence and self-esteem, they now also have to find a way to support themselves and their family while being in lockdown in a home that has nothing. 
“Our support is quite literally a lifeline for survival both physically and mentally – we believe no one should be left homeless, isolated, in danger and despair, and when people are in crisis, we’re here to make sure they don’t have to go through it alone, and have someone to turn to for advice and the practical help and supplies they need to get started in their new life.”
Aberdeen Cyrenians has also been awarded grants to help with the running costs of the new service, receiving £5,000 each from Crisis, and the Foundation Scotland Community Response Fund.
Businesses from across the region have also donated food, PPE, specially made hand sanitizer and money to the charity, making sure essential supplies keep being delivered to those in need.
Lynda Reid-Fowler said: “We’re so grateful to all our supporters for keeping us going and helping to make such a difference to people in crisis, we couldn’t do what we do without the enormous support from the community - thank you all.”
Anyone who is vulnerable and self-isolating who needs help and support can contact AC2U for delivery of supplies by visiting AC2U.org or using the free phone number: 0808 1964422.
To access the charity’s violence and abuse, homelessness and poverty support services, please call: 0300 303 0903.