Bland Group has donated £30,000 to three local charities; Childline, Women in Need and Clubhouse, all of which provide essential support to the most vulnerable members of our community.

“Self-isolation has been essential to combat Covid-19 but it comes at a cost; increased anxiety amongst students uncertain about their future, increased mental health issues due to additional stresses, and increased domestic abuse as relationships strain” wrote Nicholas Gaggero, Bland Group’s CEO. “These charities face higher demand with fewer resources on top of today’s current restrictions. I salute them for their continued dedication to our community.”

Firstly, Childline provides essential support to Gibraltar’s young by listening to and alleviating their worries. The lockdown presents many difficulties and the dedicated staff remain determined to continue their services without interruption. “The number of calls to our helpline, live chat and WhatsApp service has increased as we predicted. At the same time, major fundraising events have been cancelled, depriving the charity of much needed funds” wrote a spokesperson. “The Bland Group’s very generous donation will enable us to continue to support the young people who contact us during these challenging times.” If you or someone you know could benefit from Childline’s services, please call: 8008.

Secondly, Women in Need provides shelter and support for abused women and victims of domestic violence; twenty five families at present. Their team has made huge sacrifices over the years and have dedicated their lives to empowering women to lead independent lives. A spokeswoman for Women in Need thanked Bland Group for their generous support. “This extra funding will go a long way in providing our residents and children with much needed help during these difficult times and beyond.” If you or someone you know could benefit from Women in Need’s services, please call: 8018.

Finally, Clubhouse endeavours to continue to provide mental health awareness and promote their vital services despite the restrictions, and have designed activities to be available over social media. “The Coronavirus pandemic has presented many challenges for everybody, not least for those who have a history of mental illness” wrote Emily Adamberry Olivero, Clubhouse’s CEO. “Clubhouse resiliency, innovation, passion and dedication have quickly led to an inspiring array of strategies and solutions to address the new reality.” If you or someone you know could benefit from Clubhouse’s services, please call 200 68423.