PRESS RELEASE: 50,000 individuals in poverty helped by national charity seeking to spread its network

Online giving charity, Acts 435, which has been running for 14 years, hit a huge milestone this week, giving directly to the specific needs of over 50,000 individuals in UK poverty.

Acts 435 resources a network of local churches and charities with the ability to post requests for help for those in their community. Individual donors can then go on to the website and crowdfund for these specific needs, 100% of their financial gift going to the specific item desperately needed.

These requests help to provide one-off specific needs, such as white goods, school uniform or travel costs. Acts 435 has helped to directly provide these types of needs for 50,000 individuals, who are facing a crisis or hardship, with help when they need it most.

In recent months the charity has seen wonderful generosity from its donors, both new and regular givers, who have given through the website towards these specific needs. In February alone donors gave £91,160, which was distributed to those in need through its network of over 700 churches and local charities who seek to offer a solution when individuals have nowhere else to turn.

One partner church in Blackpool requested help through Acts 435 for a single mattress for Gary*, who was suffering with back pain. On receiving his mattress Gary said:

"I was so grateful that, through my local church, I could receive this kind gift. To the person/s who donated, you have transformed my life. My lower back pain, and dread of going to sleep because of the poor quality, old mattress, has now gone. I had taken to sleeping in my chair because of the pain of lying on the bed. This gift has been overwhelming. I would never have had the confidence to ask anyone for a new mattress, but the local church picked up on my back pain and poor living conditions. Thank you for giving me some spirit back."

During this continuing time of deepening inequality, as the cost of living continues to impact many, Acts 435 is thankful to step into the gap for individuals like Gary. The charity would like to see more people helped in their moment of crisis, and would encourage churches and local charities who are seeing need in their communities to look into this free resource: acts435.org.uk/partner

Executive Director, Jenny Herrera, who has been leading the charity since it launched in July 2010, said:

"At this time of abundance we are experiencing as a charity, we would like to help many more people in need, and hope that more churches and local charities will partner with us. They see the genuine needs of individuals in their communities and often feel helpless to do anything about it. Partnering with Acts 435 is simple and enables them to step into the gap for those in UK poverty with deeply practical help."

ENDS

*Not real name used

Acts 435 is a national online giving charity which seeks to connect those who want to give with those that have need. The charity works through a network of churches and local charities who can identify the genuine needs of individuals.

For more information contact Katie Greene, Communications Director, kgreene@acts435.org.uk