Burgess Hill Town Council and Burgess Hill District Lions Club join forces to provide £20,000 coronavirus support fund

The fund has been established to assist local groups reacting to the effects of Covid-19 on the local community.

While groups such as the foodbank are coping with current demand, as the effects become more apparent, more demand on resources will be expected.

Town council leader Robert Eggleston said the way that various groups and residents across the town were pulling together during these difficult times was ‘very humbling’.

He said: “I think I speak for everyone on Burgess Hill Town Council when I say how grateful we are to Burgess Hill Lions for their generous donation and to all the hard work of key workers and volunteers who are doing so much to look after the vulnerable in the town.

“We will be doing a whole lot more in the days and weeks ahead.”

The town council is working closely with local organisations such as the foodbank, Neighbourly Care and Age UK. It is also offering support and advice to Burgess Hill Helper Army – a Facebook group set up in wake of the Covid-19 virus.

It confirmed it was drawing up contingency plans in a bid to address the effects of the lockdown on the community.

It said these may include an increase in food parcels and delivery of these to the most vulnerable. A larger central depot for the foodbank is also being investigated, it said, as is the possibility of providing frozen meals.

Burgess Hill District Lions Club, which recently celebrated its 65th anniversary, said it was pleased to donate £10,000 to help the local community from funds raised at its Book Den in Church Walk.

Lion Chris Thomas-Atkin, the club treasurer, said: “The Lions are pleased to go into partnership with the Town Council on this initiative as part of our ongoing support for our local residents.

“These are extraordinary times and the scenario we face calls for unparalleled responses, and the Lions are keen to provide this additional support to those in particular need in our local communities at this most worrying of times.”