Helping the more needy boaters

WITH the cold weather now upon us, the  concern Workplace Matters (WM) have launched a Waterways Hardship Fund for boaters in difficulty.

This is operated by the the Waterways Chaplaincy, that is part of WM, and offers help regardless of faith or gender to those in need on the waterways, with Canal & River Trust having signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year.

Quick and easy way

If, for instance you have been given a winters fuel allowance that you would like to use to help boaters who find themselves facing hardship this winter, there's a quick and easy way to do it. Just visit the dedicated JustGiving web page to help those in need.

Any donation will help other boaters in a variety of ways, with some suggestions:

* £10 will buy a warm coat or pair of warm boots for an elderly person
* £15 can get a bag of solid fuel
* £25 could supply a replacement gas bottle for a couple who just had a baby living on an inadequately heated boat
* £40 can cover a call out fee to repair or restore heating for an elderly boater with arthritis
* £140 will buy a one month emergency winter mooring (17m boat) for a boater in need
* A very generous £300 donation can recondition a multi-fuel stove for a terminally ill person.

Any size donation will be very gratefully received via the JustGiving web page. If you are a UK taxpayer, please make sure you confirm that you would like to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give.