Stuart Anderson MP has announced that he and his family will be taking part in a virtual sleep out to raise money for two local charities that are based in his constituency of Wolverhampton South West.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation and Good Shepherd Ministry are joining forces to organise the fundraiser. The aim of the event is to raise vital funds to support the work of the two charities in responding to the economic effects of Coronavirus, especially homelessness. It also aims to reduce the effects of food poverty within the City of Wolverhampton, an issue that Stuart has been campaigning on in his work as an MP.
Even before becoming an MP, Stuart took part in the first-ever Molineux sleep-out in November 2019. The initiative saw more than £50,000 raised for the two charities. In line with the guidelines regarding Coronavirus, the organisers of the event this year are encouraging fundraisers to follow social distancing measures by sleeping out in their home environment and joining others in their online conversations.
Stuart has confirmed that he will be taking part in the event on the 27th of November 2020. To help with his fundraising efforts, Stuart has set up an online donations page. Stuart’s fundraising page can be found online at the Just Giving website, https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stuart-anderson-mp
Stuart was motivated to get involved following the many rewarding experiences he has had volunteering at the Good Shepherd, which is a well-established and highly respected charity that provides food and other services to local people and families when they are experiencing points of personal crises. Stuart has been volunteering with the Good Shepherd ever since he moved to Wolverhampton. He also supports the charitable work of Wolverhampton Football Club, and recently met with Will Clowes who is the Head of Foundation, to thank them for the great work that they have been doing in Wolverhampton during this difficult time. The Wolves Foundation not only educates and inspires local communities to be more active and to learn lifelong skills, it also creates opportunities for people to change their lives.
The fundraiser aims to reduce food poverty, an issue which Stuart has been campaigning as part of his pledge to champion health and well-being. He has been calling on the Government for more investment for the area, and was pleased to see his hard-work come into fruition when the Government unveiled its winter support package that will see the City of Wolverhampton Council receive more than £1 million in additional funding to support children, families and the most vulnerable over the next coming months.
The Government’s winter support package will also see key recommendations from the first part of the National Food Strategy implemented. The successful Holiday Activities and Food programme will see its funding tripled so that it can provide healthy meals and enriching activities during the school holidays in every English local authority. These measures form part of the Government’s long-term strategy to help tackle poor health, reduce hunger, improve educational outcomes, and see levelling up delivered.
Stuart believes that more can be done on this important issue and he is keen to support local initiatives.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “Reducing food poverty is a key priority, and I welcome the unprecedented level of support that the Government has made available to families in light of the situation regarding Coronavirus. Our work is not done until food poverty is eradicated, and that is why I am taking part in the Molineux Sleep-Out 2020 – to raise the profile of this issue and to raise funds for two fantastic local charities. I am very grateful to everyone who has already donated, and I would appreciate all support.”