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Wooden Spoon announces emergency support package to help local charities through COVID-19 crisis

Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, has pledged £200,000 to support small charities helping vulnerable children during the COVID-19 crisis.

The national charity with a strong local footprint will provide funds to children’s charities in communities across the UK and Ireland that are struggling to run essential services due a reduction in funding caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each of the Wooden Spoon regional volunteer groups will receive £5,000 in funds generated through The Telegraph Christmas Appeal 2019 and funds raised by Wooden Spoon’s long-standing corporate supporter Rugbytots.

Charities eligible for the funding will provide essential services to vulnerable children and young people in local communities across the UK & Ireland and will not be supported by Government funding.

Wooden Spoon CEO, Sarah Webb said: “Wooden Spoon are adapting our funding approach in these challenging times to better respond to the challenges presented by COVID-19 which is having a devastating impact on a huge number of charities.

“We are seeing incredible efforts, particularly from our key workers who are on the front line helping to keep us safe in the global fight against COVID-19.

“We all have a part to play in defeating the virus. Our goal at Wooden Spoon is to donate vital funds to small, regional children’s charities whose services are now in jeopardy as a result of the pandemic.”

Max Webb, CEO and Founder of Rugbytots said: “I am confident that I can speak on behalf of everyone who raised funds as well as our generous sponsors in saying we fully support this proactive response from Wooden Spoon as they look to re-allocate funds to small charities who desperately need it during these challenging times.

“The distribution of these funds through the Wooden Spoon regions will ensure that the money raised by our national network of franchisees is used to support vulnerable children in the communicates where the money was raised in the first place. A huge thanks has to go to our 2019 London to Paris cyclists as well as our amazing Rugbytots and their families for making this contribution possible”

Sarah Webb continued: “We are indebted to Rugbytots and The Telegraph who have worked tirelessly to raise these funds for us. These two donors were due to be involved in selecting projects to fund over the coming year, but have generously agreed that Wooden Spoon can deploy their funds immediately to help small charities in need, through our regional network.”

There are lots of ways you can help Wooden Spoon support more vulnerable families during these challenging times.  You can donate, join our membership scheme or take part in a virtual challenge