AN appeal for birthday cards to help a poorly Chester boy mark his first birthday has been a huge success. Young Dexter Blake, who has a heart condition requiring regular hospital treatment with oxygen, was faced having to spend his first birthday in Alder Hey Children s Hospital. Mum Danielle Blake and dad Robert Blake issued an appeal to the local community to send Dexter birthday cards, as Danielle explained Dexter loves cards. And the response to the family s appeal has been overwhelming, with Dexter receiving 300 birthday cards in time for his birthday. The response also went global, with cards coming in from places including Dubai and even New Zealand.
VOLUNTARY groups and charities are springing into action to support families and individuals in lockdown three as Wiltshire Community Foundation relaunches its Coronavirus Response Fund. The community foundation has already raised more than £1.2 million and distributed more than £1 million through 220 grants. Now it is appealing for more donations as the groups it funds face the new challenge. Charities providing counselling, youth mentoring, food distribution, shopping for the elderly and befriending are switching services online, reactivating volunteers and reforming partnerships to cope with the lockdown announced on Monday. Pewsey Community Coronavirus Assistance is maintaining the services it has been running since March but switching some to delivery and adding shopping and prescription collection to those who need it.
VOLUNTARY groups and charities are springing into action to support families and individuals in lockdown three as Wiltshire Community Foundation relaunches its Coronavirus Response Fund. The community foundation has already raised more than £1.2 million and distributed more than £1 million through 220 grants. Now it is appealing for more donations as the groups it funds face the new challenge. Charities providing counselling, youth mentoring, food distribution, shopping for the elderly and befriending are switching services online, reactivating volunteers and reforming partnerships to cope with the lockdown announced on Monday. Pewsey Community Coronavirus Assistance is maintaining the services it has been running since March but switching some to delivery and adding shopping and prescription collection to those who need it.