Mayor’s money helps Eastbourne group provide NHS keyworkers with ‘bit of sunshine’

The group Box Full of Rainbows, set up by Tracie Owen, provides special treat boxes to key workers in the town.

The initiative, according to the group, has grown quickly and now has more than 1,000 supporters and volunteers and has delivered more than 800 care packages, with requests for 1,000 more.

Mayor Steve Wallis said, “Box Full of Rainbows sums up exactly why we started Kick Out Covid Fund – local people with great ideas to support the heroes who are helping the country overcome this dreadful virus and best of all, just getting on and doing it.

“Tracie and her supporters are doing an incredible job and with this extra funding will be able to bring a little bit of sunshine into the lives of key workers, who right now deserve it more than most.”

The special treats that people receive include hand wash and hand cream, moisturisers, body sprays, foot soaks, lip balm, snacks, coffee, hot chocolate sachets, sweets and more.

Tracie said, “We were so incredibly grateful to receive the grant from the mayor’s fund. Caroline Ansell has also been such a great support and helped so much with receiving it.

“When I started this I never believed so many people would get behind it and support me in the way they have. To be in a position to be able to provide a smile, moral boost and a little bit of joy through our box full of rainbows is incredible.

“To let keyworkers know there is someone who has thought about them personally and is thankful for the work they do, can make such a difference to how someone is feeling.

“All my volunteers and group members have been amazing and I can’t thank them enough.”

To support Box Full of Rainbows, email [email protected]

To donate to the mayor’s Kick Out Covid fund, visit www.gofundme.com/f/kickout-covid-eastbourne

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