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Mayor launches charity lifeline for Liverpool's most venerable residents
Photo with thanks to Liverpool City Council

THE Mayor of Liverpool is today calling on the famous Scouse spirit of giving to help support community and voluntary groups during Liverpool's hour of need.  Mayor Joe Anderson is launching a special charity appeal to help fund the work of groups across the City which are supporting vulnerable people during the Coronavirus outbreak. Praising them for their "tireless commitment to the people of Liverpool," the mayor is calling for financial contributions from the public to help food banks and community organisations purchase vital supplies as they respond to the pandemic. Mayor Anderson has opened up a Covid-19 Appeal as part of the established Mayor's Hope Fund, through which anyone can pledge to support those in desperate need of help during this difficult time. And to kickstart the appeal Mayor Anderson will contribute ₤20,000 from his Council budget.

Mayor Joe Anderson said:- "We have seen thousands of people come to the Council asking for help, but a greater number are simply turning to their local community organisations for help, companionship and food. Our City's greatest asset as we respond to the virus is the thousands of volunteers running these organisations and their tireless commitment to the people of Liverpool.  Organisational partners, such as LCVS, Everton in the Community, the LFC Foundation and the Torus Foundation, are working directly with us at the Council, but they are dwarfed by the number of smaller community organisations that are saving lives in our neighbourhoods. That's why we want people to consider donating money to the Mayor's Hope Fund to boost the finances of a group near you."

Kevin Peacock, chief executive of St Andrew's Community Network, which runs the North Liverpool Foodbank, said:- "Over the past 5 years, the Mayor's Hope Fund has really helped North Liverpool Foodbank as it has risen to the challenge of providing emergency food in a crisis for some of our most vulnerable residents. Last year we distributed more than 90 tonnes of food and supported over 13,000 people. This food was transported using a van and stored in warehouses that were both part funded by the Mayor's Hope Fund. Over the next 6 months, we expect to see more hardship in our City as a direct result of Covid-19. The good news is that we are still one of the most generous Cities in the world, and the Mayor's Hope Fund will allow the Council and its partners to make sure any donated resources go those who need it the most."

The Mayor's Hope Fund was set up by the mayor to raise money to tackle poverty, particularly for families and people struggling to find or pay for their food supplies. During the Coronavirus pandemic, more people than ever are counting on the Council and local community organisations for essential supplies because they are shielding, self isolating or have lost their job. Every penny that is donated to the Mayor's Hope Fund will go directly to Liverpool-based community organisations.  You can contribute to the Mayor's Hope Fund Appeal at:- TheMayorsHopeFund.Org.UK.

RMT secures major pay victory on behalf of Merseyrail Minie cleaners

THE Rail Union RMT has claimed a major victory in the fight against low pay on the railway after a campaign by the union forced Merseyrail cleaning and facilities' contractor Mitie to withdraw a threat to withhold a pay increase for their staff. Mitie had pulled a pay increase to a minimum of ₤9 an hour for its Merseyrail staff, but a high profile RMT campaign has forced them to honour the backdated award in a victory that the union says is an important staging post in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis to get all rail staff onto the Real Living Wage as an absolute minimum. RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:- "I want to pay tribute to our members, our reps and our officials for their hard work, unity and determination which has been key to securing this important victory. The company stance forced us to declare a dispute and mount a major political and public campaign to secure pay justice for our Mitie Merseyrail staff. In the midst of this current crisis RMT is out there fighting to deliver on safety, jobs and livelihoods. That work continues."