Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell ‘goes the extra mile’ to meet demand for crisis support
People from across the borough joined forces with Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) to raise vital funds for those at the forefront of the cost-of-living crisis.
Nearly 50 staff, volunteers and supporters went the extra mile on Sunday 14 May 2023 by walking a self-guided 5 mile route around Horton County Park or 10 mile route through the Epsom countryside to raise funds for the charity.
Supporters who took part on Sunday included MP Chris Grayling and Horton councillors Bernie Muir and Kieran Persand. Epsom and Ewell Rotaries both fielded volunteers to help on the day plus some CAEE staff and volunteers who gave up their Sunday.
The event is expected to raise over £1,000. Anyone who would like to walk the route and donate or even just donate, can visit the CAEE Just Giving page. All funds raised during Sunday’s event will go directly into supporting frontline services.
One of the people CAEE has helped is Tom (not his real name), a man in his 50s who lives alone in a rented property. He is typical of many of CAEE’s clients and their multiple (and sometimes hidden) vulnerabilities. When Tom first came to CAEE he was defensive, lacked confidence dealing with people and his finances and had spiralling rent arrears, council tax liabilities, water arrears and other debts. His paperwork was chaotic and incomplete and Tom found appointments challenging.
Over a period of time, advisers at CAEE have been working regularly with Tom and he has taken giant leaps forward and is now in a much better situation. CAEE has empowered Tom to work at a pace that he can cope with to help him overcome some of his difficulties.
Lisa Davis, CEO of CAEE, said:
“We’re so grateful to everyone who rallied together this weekend. Every day our advisers hear from people who are stressed, isolated and frightened as they try to deal with the cost-of-living crisis.
“We’re working flat out to help people find a way forward. But we’re a charity and our services are stretched. All the funds raised by the people of Epsom and Ewell will help us get crisis support for those who need it.”
Media enquiries: please contact Louise Curd, Publicity and Fundraising Manager, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell, email: publicity@caee.org.uk tel: 01372 300778
For information and advice, contact Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell on Freephone 0808 278 7963 or visit https://www.caee.org.uk
We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
Notes to editors:
- Please visit our Just Giving page for more information – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/caee-go-the-extra-mile
- Photo is of Cllr Kieran Persand, Chris Grayling MP, Sue Grayling, Lisa Davis, CEO of CAEE, Louise Curd, CAEE, Chris Bruce, volunteer at CAEE, Cllr Bernie Muir
- Citizens Advice is made up of the national charity Citizens Advice; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.
- Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) is a small, local charity offering free advice and information for all who live, work and study in the borough of Epsom & Ewell. All advice is free, confidential, impartial and independent.
- Each year CAEE helps around 3,000 clients with issues such as benefits, housing, debt, fuel poverty, family issues and much more. Our outcomes are extremely positive not only for the clients we serve, but also for the wider community. During 2021/22 we secured income in excess of £900,000 for our clients. Our added value to society totalled £1.2m in fiscal benefits by reducing health service demand and maintaining employment and housing. The wider economic and social benefit of our work during 2021/22 totalled almost £8.4m.
- As a small charity we are responsible for raising our funds. It costs, on average, £60 for each client that we help. To make a donation please visit www.caee.org.uk/donate/ Just £5 per month could enable us to help another client this year.
- To get advice please use our Freephone adviceline 0808 278 7963 or visit our website where you can get advice by email and find details of our drop in service.