Hull FC are proud to support the HEY Smile Foundation (SMILE) their new #HIGHFIVER appeal!
The appeal is aimed at showing thanks and funding the support provided by the thousands of volunteers operating across East Yorkshire during the current pandemic.
The concept was developed by HEY Smile Foundation who are leading on the community response to Covid-19 in partnership with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The #HIGHFIVER campaign is a simple and effective way for people to show support to the thousands of volunteers, And they can do it with or without making a donation.
SMILE is asking everyone to write #HIGHFIVER and Text: 70085 on the palm of their hand and hold it up for a #HIGHFIVER selfie to share the message and get people donating and sharing in community pride. And, thanks to the generosity of the Horncastle Group PLC and other leading local businesses, for every £5 donated, there will be matched funding.
The Hull FC Community Foundation will benefit directly from the donations, with funds going to support our staff still working in the local community during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting key worker children in schools, and delivering food parcels to the vulnerable.
Andrew Barber, CEO of the HEY Smile Foundation said: “In just one week, over 6,000 people in our region have received a care package, medication or support to alleviate their isolation. This has all been achieved thanks to a range of volunteers from the public, private and voluntary sectors coming together and working as one.
“These community champions walk our streets, shopping aisles and pharmacy queues making a massive difference to the efforts of the nation to prevent NHS admissions, and allowing vulnerable people to return home from hospital sooner.
“It’s now time we thanked and supported these community champions by giving a virtual #HIGHFIVER on social media and providing funding to replenish fuel supplies and other resources that enable them to continue their great work. If everyone across the region donates just £5, we can make a real difference and, thanks to the generosity of the Horncastle Group PLC and other partners, your money will go even further.”
Andrew Horncastle, Chairman of Horncastle Group PLC, said: “At times like this, everyone must pull together including business, the public sector, charities and volunteers, to support each other.
“That’s why we are very proud to get behind HEY Smile Foundation’s #HighFiver appeal, to support community champions and volunteers who are committed to helping the most vulnerable members of society through the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The #HIGHFIVER appeal is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to make a real difference in these very challenging times. We have taken up that mantle and we hope to inspire other businesses to do the same.”
The concept also supports the importance of good hand washing, as following the selfie high five, participants are asked to wash off the number with soap and water.
So how does a #HIGHFIVER message and text provide help?
Groups carrying out great work in their community can access up to £500 in grants within 24hrs of applying through SMILE’s simple online Beecan system.
From fuel cards to stationary, carrier bags to high vis vests, these grants will make a real difference and provide vital support to the groups to carry on their great work, safely and even more supported!
Members of the first-team squad have joined the #HighFiver campaign, and you can to by sending up your selfies with the hashtag on social media!
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