Vital relief work will be able to go ahead in Slough after £10,000 was secured to provide residents with food and essential supplies during the coronavirus crisis.

Slough CVS has bagged the cash from the Berkshire Community Foundation Vital for Berkshire – Coronavirus Appeal which will go directly to seven Slough groups who are all helping residents in need during the virus outbreak.

The groups that will receive the funding are Colnbrook Cares, Haymill Support Group, Pakistani Welfare Association, Sewa Day, Slough Islamic Trust, Slough Modest Sisters and Upton Court Support Group.

Ramesh Kukar, CEO of Slough CVS said: “We are thrilled to be able to distribute funding to some of the groups that have been supporting the Covid-19 crisis.

"These groups saw a need and acted straightaway. One hundred per cent of the funding we received from BCF will be given to these groups to enable them to continue this essential work.”

Roshtha and Sima from Slough Modest Sisters said on hearing the good news: “Wow that is amazing, thank you so much.

"It is wonderful to know that our work has been recognised and appreciated.

"It has been a humbling experience; very tough and challenging at times but very rewarding.

"The funds will help us immensely to re-build and continue to support the community.”

Suhas Madhekar, from Sewa Day, added: “This is fantastic news which facilitates us to enhance and deliver on our commitments to Slough.”

Jamie Green, chairman of Slough CVS said there are many other groups in need of funding, so they have set up the Slough Giving – Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

He said: “We’re asking you the public and businesses to donate to this fund, all of which will be used by community groups, charities and not-for-profit initiatives, who are supporting the many vulnerable people in Slough.”

For more information about the Slough Giving – Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund and to donate, visit www.sloughcvs.org/donate