30 Apr Harlow SOUP raise £1500 for those in Harlow affected by Covid-19 with online event
The team behind Harlow SOUP adapted their successful in-person quarterly event to host a special online Harlow SOUP on 2nd April 2020.
The event was well attended with over 200 watching the event live via Facebook, with attendees from Harlow, London, Aberdeen, and even Western Australia! The generous people of Harlow and further afield raised a total of £1500 via Go Fund Me to be distributed to those impacted by Covid-19 in Harlow.
The money raised has been allocated as follows:
£585 to Community Embrace which has already been used to purchase a commercial fridge for storage of regular food donations
£500 to Harlow College Crowdfunder for materials to be made into protective visors for NHS staff at PAH
£408 to Harlow Foodbank to continue to provide Harlow families suffering from economic hardship access to food and toiletries
The event featured live music from an array of talented local musicians including open mic favourites Lauren McKay and Anita Schultschik, and Ware-based Billy Lunn who performs as part of internationally-renowned band, The Subways. Local talents Sam Russell and Chris Tew also performed live from their homes a mixture of original and cover songs.
Local MP Robert Halfon and leader of Harlow Council, Mark Ingall joined various representatives from across the town to discuss the response to Covid-19. Cllr. Ingall reminded the public that the Harlow Community Hub was there to help isolated local residents seek a range of support and can be contacted on 01279 927005. Robert Halfon reminded residents that he was also available to assist with a range of enquiries and preferred to be contacted via email at halfon4harlow@roberthalfon.com
Other community speakers included Jemma Mindham, CEO of Rainbow Services which has helped to set up the Hub alongside Harlow Council. Vic Goddard the Head of Passmores Academy gave an impassioned speech, whilst Herty from Community Embrace spoke about the excellent work her organisation is doing in the community providing vulnerable residents with food deliveries free of charge.
