KIND residents came out on Saturday to help save Teardrops charity, with the co-founder adding there is still a lot of work to do before they reach their goal.
Last week the Star broke the story of how Teardrops was at risk of closure due to costs and debts.
The charity was founded eight years ago initially to help the homeless in St Helens, eventually changing to help all in need in our town including people on palliative care and with terminal illness, becoming a vital bridge to what other charities and food banks offer to those at crisis point.
As a way to be more sustainable, in September 2023, using legacy money left to the charity, Teardrops founded Mellor and Black Enchanted Tea Rooms and an upcycling furniture business called Made Up inside the downstairs of the former Ena Shaws building.
The intention was funds garnered from these businesses would go back into Teardrops – however due to rising costs and the cost-of-living crisis, the charity has been left with a horrible situation and closed the two businesses on Saturday, June 1 following a fundraiser to try and save the charity.
The fundraiser raised £1,838.29 on Saturday, which added to the £7,277 on GoFundMe gives them a total of £9,115.
The goal to save the charity is £50,000 by the end of June, with the £10,000 milestone already in sight after just one week.
Co-founder Denise Kelly said: “It was absolutely amazing how people heard about what the charity is facing and turned up to support us on Saturday.
“There is still a lot of misunderstanding about Teardrops as a charity just helping the homeless. We did start off as a homeless charity but with the way of the world now we saw so many groups and individuals needed support so over the eight years we do far more than just help the homeless.
“We help people on palliative care, people with illnesses, people with learning difficulties, people with limited funds who need food parcels, children who need extra help, basically anyone of any age who needs help we offer them help or guide them where they can get help.
“We are here for the community and have been so amazed really at how phenomenal the response has been and we hope anyone can help who has not yet done so can hopefully help in any way they can even if that’s just sharing the fundraising page.”
To donate go to gofundme.com/f/save-teardrops-from-closure
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