TODAY the Gazette and Herald launches its Put In A Pound appeal to help tackle the effects of the cost of living crisis.

We are teaming up with Wiltshire Community Foundation to ask every reader to donate £1 to help charities and voluntary groups who are seeing unprecedented demand from families and individuals struggling to make ends meet.

Thanks to the generosity of a donor, the foundation will be able to increase any donation by 50 per cent through match funding up to the value of £25,000 - meaning each £1 donated becomes £1.50.

Money raised by the appeal will go into the foundation’s Cost of Living Crisis Fund, which was set up last year.

It has already distributed almost £23,000 to groups and charities providing food, mental health support, money advice, help with fuel bills or just offering somewhere warm for them to go.

Joint chief executive Fiona Oliver said regular conversations with groups and charities have highlighted the rising need.

“One group told us that people are feeling broken by the poverty they are experiencing,” she said.

“Charities like Wiltshire Citizens Advice are under severe pressure from the sheer weight of enquiries and calls for help they are receiving. And just at the time they are seeing this surge in demand their own costs are spiralling too.

“Foodbanks are seeing huge numbers of people coming through their doors but donations are falling and fuel, rent and other costs are soaring. Because of this we are absolutely delighted the Swindon Advertiser has stepped up and launched this appeal. Any support we get will make a huge difference to people who are facing very tough times.”

Editor of the Gazette and Herald Daniel Chipperfield said: “I am delighted to get involved with this worthwhile effort and urge all our readers to dip into their pockets to donate whatever they can.

"I know times are tough for everyone right now, but just £1 really can make all the difference and help support the people in our community who need it most.”

How to donate. 

There are several ways you can donate.

By credit or debit card by calling 01380 715453 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

By post, with cheques made payable to Wiltshire Community Foundation, to Sandcliff House, 21 Northgate Street, Devizes, SN10 1JT

Online at bit.ly/putinapound or by scanning this QR code.