The JC today launches its second charity appeal, now an annual event designed to support communal charities and their projects which merit greater support but which might be overlooked during the major fundraising season.
A judging panel — including Maureen Lipman, Esther Rantzen, Baroness Neuberger and Manchester City Council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein — will assess nominations from readers. Charities may also apply directly, where possible specifying a project or activity and providing a cost estimate. Readers will then be encouraged to support the three causes that our judges deem the most deserving.
Last year’s chosen charities were Drugsline, Camp Simcha and Side by Side, a Stamford Hill school where children with special needs are educated alongside mainstream pupils.
At Camp Simcha — helping children with life-threatening illnesses — executive director Neville Goldschneider said the benefits of the publicity had been twofold.
“Apart from the funds, which are always vital to our work, our ability to reach children and families who need us depends on increasing awareness of our activities among the Jewish community.
“As a smaller charity, it is always hard for us to find the resources to advertise in the press, so this opportunity provided a vital boost in our communal profile.”
Baroness Neuberger said: “Life is tough for many charities when people feel worried about the economic climate. All the more reason, then, to realise how much need there is out there and to help where at all possible. Without our help, charities, especially the smaller ones with no reserves, simply cannot survive.”
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