Eastbourne mayor launches fundraiser to help town fight back against pandemic

The Kick-out Covid appeal, launched today (April 15) by Councillor Steve Wallis, will raise funds to support the council’s efforts to care for the vulnerable and elderly, and allocate small grants to entrepreneurs looking to help supply personal protective equipment.

According to the mayor, he, council leader David Tutt and Eastbourne and Willingdon MP Caroline Ansell, are putting politics ‘firmly’ to one side to help get the fund up and running.

The trio have each made a donation and are now encouraging others to ‘dig deep’, if they are in a financial position to do so.

So far, as of April 15, the fundraiser has raised a total of £70 of its £10,000 target.

Mr Wallis praised key workers, the council, volunteers, local businesses and the wider community for coming together in the town’s hour of need.

He said, “While this is a global issue, we are seeing the very real consequences on a daily basis in our own town. We must support the fight at a local level and identify ways we can make a difference.”

Council leader David Tutt said he was looking at how home-grown entrepreneurs were exploring ideas to help tackle the virus.

He said, “Earlier this week, I was talking to a local businessman who has a number of 3D printers capable of producing protective equipment. Talks are taking place with local NHS providers to see if they could be of assistance.”

Mrs Ansell MP said, “Politicians have put their political differences to one side to unite against this dreadful virus.

“Our fundraising will allow us to support initiatives to tackle elements of the fight-back and to ensure our community gets our love and care at this critical time.”

To donate to the GoFundMe page, click here.

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