Alex Horne hosted an event at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre to launch Citizens Advice Bucks’s fundraising appeal to secure funding to recruit more volunteers to reach soaring demand.
On the 18th of October people in Bucks came together to help support Citizens Advice Bucks raise much needed funding to recruit and train more volunteers to support the delivery of our advice service. Over a 100 people including local dignitaries, businesses and past and present supporters attended the event which saw the launch of our ‘Here for Bucks’ fundraising appeal.
As we are amidst the worst cost of living crisis the UK has seen for decades the demand for advice from Citizens Advice Bucks is soaring. To help reach this increased demand we urgently needs to recruit and train more volunteers. The aim for our fundraising appeal is to raise £30,000 to enable us to recruit and train 10 more volunteers across Buckinghamshire.
Volunteers are at the heart of how the Citizens Advice service is delivered, and the charity’s team of volunteers across High Wycombe, Aylesbury Vale, and the Chilterns are vital to the work we do; helping people access the information and advice they need to move forward with their lives.
Every year, in Buckinghamshire a dedicated team of 90 highly skilled and trained Citizens Advice volunteers provide vital, free advice to more than 12,500 local people in need. Their dedication helps to make a real difference for many who are facing challenges with issues such as hunger, homelessness, overwhelming debt, welfare issues, and discrimination.
During the the evening, we also premiered our new client impact video, showcasing two Bucks clients, Sharon, and Kelvin. In the video they share their stories and how impactful the advice provided has been for their lives. In fact, in Sharon’s own words ‘Bucks Citizens Advice saved her life.’ The powerful video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pEQAROMmhY&t=30s
Alex Horne hosted the event for the charity and had this to say at the end of the night-
‘I’ve been supporting Citizens Advice in Buckinghamshire, at an event tonight trying to implore people to donate their time or money if they can to this cause, which I didn’t know enough about. But it is a brilliant cause, and it helps thousands of people, and we are trying to raise enough money to support 10 volunteers who in turn will support thousands in the area, so if you can, look up CAB. Citizens Advice in Buckinghamshire.’
Dr. I. Stephanie Boyce gave a speech on the night and stated
‘I’m delighted to be supporting Citizens Advice Bucks with this public funding event. Legal rights mean absolutely nothing if you don’t know what your rights are, and you don’t even know when those rights are being taken away. And far too often many people do not know their rights and they don’t know when to seek advice on those rights. So, the work of Citizens Advice Bucks is vital to ensuring that individuals can exercise their rights. If you are able to support the work of Citizens Advice Bucks by volunteering or making a donation, please do.’
Craig Glynn, Interim CEO for Citizens Advice Bucks states:
‘We are a lifeline for the county’s most vulnerable, whether that’s preventing people from becoming homeless, providing emergency food vouchers, helping maximise incomes, or ensuring essential caregiver support for an older person. We are here to help them find a way forward. But we can only do that with volunteers, and we need more to support people in a time of such demand. Whilst volunteers give their time for free, recruiting and training volunteers’ costs, which is why this is the concentration of our fundraiser. We are so grateful to those who are taking part, and for all the incredible generosity of all those who donate to help us help Bucks.’
Citizens Advice Bucks were able to put on this event not only due to the free time given by Alex and Stephanie but also thanks to Buckinghamshire Building Society who were thrilled to be the charities Principal Event Supporter.
Dan Wass, CEO of Buckinghamshire Building Society states:
“We are delighted to support Citizens Advice Bucks as their Principal Event Supporter for ‘Here for Bucks,’ a fundraiser to launch their volunteer appeal. As a building society with strong roots in Buckinghamshire we feel closely aligned in purpose and values. The ‘Here for Bucks’ event is a fantastic opportunity that reflects our mutual commitment to making a meaningful difference in the community.”
