The funds were secured from commercial filming in the borough and given as part of the Greenwich Supports campaign to the Greenwich Winter Night Shelter, which supports people at risk of homelessness, and the HER Centre, a charity supporting women and girls who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse.  

Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Council, presented a cheque of £2,000 to Katy Ridsdill-Smith, Director of Greenwich Winter Night Shelter, on Friday 2 December at a fundraising Sleepout event at Avery Hill Activity Centre.

Cllr Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills, and Cllr Averil Lekau, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, alongside other Councillors presented Stacy Smith, Chief Executive of the HER Centre, and Eunice Abodunrin, Head of Finance of the HER Centre, with a donation of £1,000 on Monday 5 December at the Town Hall. Through the Big Give Christmas Challenge the donation will be doubled to £2,000.  

Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Council, said: “Greenwich Winter Night Shelter and the HER Centre provide vital support to some of the most vulnerable people in our borough - it is an honour to give them both a financial boost before Christmas.” 

Katy Ridsdill-Smith, Director of Greenwich Winter Night Shelter, said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in the Sleepout and donated to our Big Give Christmas fundraising challenge. We have already raised an incredible £22,000 which will go towards supporting people off the streets this winter through our night shelter and day centre services.” 

Cllr Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills, said: “The HER Centre is doing fantastic work alongside Greenwich Local Labour and Business (GLLAB) the Council’s team that matches local people with training and job opportunities. Our donation of £1,000 doubled to £2,000 will help them support even more women.” 

Stacy Smith, Chief Executive of the HER Centre, said: “This donation will help us to keep up our great project of helping women back into work through paid work placements, working in partnership with Greenwich Local Labour and Business. By helping women who have experienced abuse to get a job women are more likely to avoid returning to an abusive ex-partner and to break free from the poverty trap.” 

As part of our Greenwich Supports campaign to help residents with cost of living, the Council has pledged £3million to support the most vulnerable people in our borough – including £50,000 to create Warm Spaces and £150,000 for Stay Warm, Stay Safe – extra services for residents who may be at risk during the cold weather.  

Help is available through Greenwich Supports for our residents: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/greenwich-supports    

Find out how GLLAB can help you find work: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/gllab