Visitors having their holiday in Cornwall are being asked to support the county’s most deprived children while they are here.
Local charity Home-Start Kernow is using a familiar item - the Cornish pasty- to help raise money to help vulnerable children and their families.
An eye- catching poster asks people if they are enjoying their holiday. Going on to point out that parts of Cornwall are among the most deprived in Europe, the poster tells people that for the price of a Cornish pasty - £4- they can help support vulnerable children and their families.
“People come to Cornwall to enjoy our beautiful beaches and countryside, our quirky shops and our fantastic cafes and restaurants” said HSK trustee Duncan Trotter, who came up with the campaign.
“While we certainly have all these things, we also have many families who are struggling to cope. We know that the impact of Covid-19 has led to increased unemployment, depression and anxiety amongst parents, making life even more difficult for many of these people”.
Duncan is hoping the hundreds of hotels, guest houses, B&B providers and camp sites across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will support the campaign by displaying the poster, as well as local shops, restaurants and tourist attractions.
“Last year more than two million people visited Cornwall between July and September and we expect that number to increase this year with the continued challenges of foreign travel” he said. “If just a fraction of these people support our campaign we could help many more local families.
“While we are targeting the campaign at the people who come to Cornwall on holiday, anyone can support our work by texting ‘PASTY’ to 70470. Texts cost £4 plus one standard rate message”.
Home-Start Kernow helps families struggling to cope with issues such as depression and anxiety, isolation and loneliness and in some cases, their own or their children’s disability, and physical illness. It offers free, confidential support, friendship and practical help through a network of specially trained volunteers.
Like many other organisations, Home-Start Kernow has seen a massive demand for its services during the global pandemic and is looking to raise money to help even more local children and families who are going through a difficult time.
Copies of the Pasty poster are available from Home-Start Kernow. Please email [email protected] or phone 01209 214490 for a copy.
Information about the charity’s work and its 20th anniversary Cascade of Kindness fundraising campaign is available on the Home-Start Kernow website: www homestartkernow.org.uk.