NEWS

Thomas Baldwin reports on an emergency appeal launched by CrossReach during the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic

THE Church of Scotland Social Care Council, CrossReach, has launched an emergency appeal to enable it to continue its services during the Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak.

In common with other major charities, CrossReach has seen its income suffer as fundraising activities and major events are cancelled due to the epidemic.

At the same time, its services to some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland have come under increasing pressure during the crisis. Residential care services are facing staffing shortages as staff self-isolate, and services for children and families, and for vulnerable adults, must be delivered in different ways that cost extra.

To help plug the financial gap, two fundraising challenges were launched in April. The first, ‘Push Up for CrossReach’, is a push-up challenge in which the number of push ups increases each day.

Starting with one push-up (or whatever they are comfortable with) on Monday, participants are asked to increase the number by one each day, then by two on Friday, before taking a break at the weekend.

Anyone taking part is encouraged to sign up as a fundraiser, make an initial suggested donation of £5, and record and share their efforts on social media using the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone. You can also do the challenge virtually with family and friends.

The campaign received a boost when it was supported by former Scotland international rugby player Tim Visser, who posted a video of himself taking part on Twitter.

Later in the month, the then Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, urged people to take part in the 2.6 Challenge for CrossReach. The challenge, launched the week that the London Marathon should have taken place, encouraged people to complete any activity suiting their skills and abilities, featuring the numbers two and six in any way.

Suggested activities included baking 26 cakes for neighbours, jumping 26 times on a trampoline, donating 26 items to a foodbank, drawing 26 rainbows in appreciation for NHS and care staff, running 2.6 miles in the house or back garden and wearing 26 pieces of clothing at once and working in them all day.

Mr Sinclair and his wife Ruth raised money for CrossReach by climbing up and down the 26 stairs in their manse in Edinburgh for 26 mins each.

Mr Sinclair said: “Social Care is under enormous strain because of coronavirus and CrossReach is not immune from these pressures.

“During my year as Moderator, Ruth and I had the privilege, as part of ‘CrossReach Week’, of visiting a number of CrossReach services aimed to support and help people at every stage of life.

“We were immensely impressed both by the professionalism and the practical care that was on offer and gladly want to support them during this time.

“Here is Christian love in action that deserves our backing.”

CrossReach’s chief executive, Viv Dickenson, said: “The 2.6 challenge will help fund CrossReach services through this difficult period.

“With many of our fundraising challenges being postponed or cancelled due to Covid-19 this challenge is a great alternative to help support our life changing services.

“It is a fun challenge which is open to anyone and you can be as creative as you like.

“All money raised will have a direct impact on the essential care that we provide, helping to supply vital resources so we can continue to help the most vulnerable people during these unprecedented times.”

In addition to financial donations, CrossReach is appealing for volunteers to help support its work during the lockdown. Anyone interested in offering help can make contact through the following email addresses:

• Volunteering, including driving key workers: Volunteer.WithUs@crossreach. org.uk

• Supporters, individuals/ groups/ corporates/ funders: supporters@ crossreach.org.uk

• Supplies, equipment, general procurement: megan.forsyth@ crossreach.org.uk

• General enquiries: info@crossreach.org.uk You can also visit www.crossreach.org.uk for more information.