Today, MP Rachael Maskell thanks the people of the city for their generosity after over 2,500 donations were made & over £1,800 was raised during her Warm Weekend appeal last November.
The impressive number of donations received over the ‘Warm Weekend’ poured in over the course of the two days including coats, sweaters, hot water bottles, hats, scarves and gloves. Some residents even hand knitted items especially for the event. Donations on the day one received a huge boost after a massive delivery from the people of Strensall.
Alongside donations from individuals, York’s business community and community organisations came out in force to support the event with large donations and promotional support from staff at Aviva, Portakabin, Spark, Morrisons, York Coffee Emporium, Winstons of York, All Saints, St Peters School, York Minster, York CVS, York BID and many more. The event was made possible by a team of great volunteers including much appreciated support from York Cares, The Grand Hotel and York Racecourse. The MP is also very thankful to York’s local media community who helped with the huge response by coming together to get the word out.
On the event, Rachael Maskell said
“York is renowned for its generosity and we showed this throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the people of this city are now showing it once again when people in York need it most. We tried to keep track of donations over the weekend, but there were so many that I would like to say a huge thank you to absolutely everyone who came along and took part. You really have made a huge difference.
“I was also overwhelmed by the response from local businesses and organisations who really got behind the event and helped make it possible. This event also showed local media at its finest, and demonstrated why it is so important and of course a huge thank you to Central Methodist Church for having us in their space to host the event”.
Donations are being distributed to people across the city, with the support of local groups including Carecent, the Salvation Army, the Clarence Street Mental Health Hub and a number of York Foodbanks. One York family received a parcel including coats, sweaters and nightwear after being temporarily displaced from their home and after losing a vast amount of their belongings due to mould. The MP is also working with local organisations to ensure that all the money donated is spent where it is most needed.
The Warm Weekend Appeal was party of the MP’s York Together Campaign, launched to bring people of the city together to get through the cost of living crisis. The MP said “As the cost of living crisis continues, my York Together work goes on, and I will continue to find ways to support those across our city who need it most. Details of my next event will be announced very soon.”
About the Warm Weekend
On Friday 17th & Saturday 18th November, Rachael Maskell MP launched her ‘York Together’ campaign with a ‘Warm Weekend’ event at St Saviourgate Methodist Church, collecting donations of warm clothing from residents and organisations across the city. Across the two day event, over 2,500 items were donated and have now been distributed to those in need across the city. Over £1300 in cash donations were also received by those unable to make donations directly at the event.