£74,000 distributed to Cornwall’s Foodbanks and voluntary organisations to help struggling communities

Last year’s Cornwall Christmas Fair at the Eden Project raised a record figure of £74,000 for the Cornwall Community Foundation.

The critical funds will be distributed to community and grassroots non-profit organisations that are changing lives across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Funds will be shared between Young & Talented Cornwall, the fund that supports Cornwall’s young talent endeavouring to achieve their ambitions; St Petrocs, the charity working to end homelessness in Cornwall; Wild Young Parents CIC, the Redruth-based charity supporting young families, and a network of Foodbanks across Cornwall.

“We are delighted to have been able to support some brilliant community initiatives and charities through the funds we raised at the 2022 Cornwall Christmas Fair,” comment Jane Hartley and Kate Holborow, Co-Chairs of the Cornwall Christmas Fair.  “Homelessness and the cost-of-living crisis are right at the front of all our minds this winter and hopefully our support will go some way to making lives a bit easier for Cornwall’s struggling families and individuals”

“We are all so proud of the young talent here in Cornwall and acutely aware of the personal and financial challenges so many face in achieving their ambitions.  Geography, financial hardship and personal circumstances can often seem like insurmountable hurdles and we are so pleased to be helping our young talent thrive on a local, national and even international stage.”

Tamas Haydu, Chief Executive of Cornwall Community Foundation, adds “We are truly grateful to all who supported and attended the event, the wonderful stallholders, sponsors and the amazing team of Cornwall Christmas Fair volunteers. A big thank you also goes to The Eden Project for hosting this fantastic Fair.  A record amount was raised which will go a long way in helping those most in need in Cornwall.”

Young & Talented Cornwall was allocated £20,000 to continue providing financial support to young individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding talent in areas such as sport, dance, music, theatre or creative writing but are struggling to achieve their ambition because of hardship, personal circumstances or disability.

Wild Young Parents Project was allocated £10,000 to carry on its vital support to young parents, children and babies in the most deprived areas of Cornwall.

St Petrocs was allocated £10,000 to continue providing crucial services to people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless.

Foodbanks across Cornwall have seen an increase in demand of up to 80% due to the rising cost-of-living.  The remaining funds from the Fair will be shared between all the foodbanks across Cornwall including, Wadebridge Foodbank and StoreHouse, Saltash Foodbank, Falmouth Salvation Army Church and Community Centre Foodbank, No One Goes Hungry – the Probus Food Bank and Helston and The Lizard Foodbank.

The Fair is organised by a team of volunteers with support from a generous spread of sponsors. The Eden Project kindly opened its gates for free to ensure every penny raised went towards supporting communities in Cornwall and thanks to South West Water, the attraction’s famous biomes shone blue for the duration of the event to mark the Fair’s support for Cornwall’s communities.

For more information, please visit www.cornwallchristmasfair.com