It is really sad that we have to tell you that despite all your help and support we are unlikely to meet our target of £10k for the Maidstone Cares charity appeal. We know you tried really hard and are extremely grateful for everything you did to help us in trying to raise for some of our amazing local charities most affected by Covid19. Unfortunately, as we didn’t raise the target no funds will be collected for the organisations and your pledge will not be taken from your bank account. We wonder though, if you are still in a position to help to donate directly to the chosen charities which are: Maidstone Family Food Bank: A charity that aims to provide support for the most vulnerable families and elderly living in our community. More details can be found on the website: https://www.familyfoodbank.org/maidstone-ffb.html FareShare Kent: a member of the national FareShare network, ensuring good quality surplus food in Kent doesn't go to waste and instead goes to local community and charitable organisations to help them with their work: http://www.faresharekent.org.uk/ Involve Kent: A charity whose vision is 'Healthy, connected people and communities'. We improve health, empowering people and communities to live well and tackling the root causes of ill health including isolation, loneliness, disadvantage and frailty. Find out more via the website: https://www.involvekent.org.uk/ Heart of Kent Hospice: The local Hospice which cares for over 1,500 patients and their families each year. Their services cost £4million a year to run, with over £3million raised through the generosity of our local community: https://www.hokh.org/ Many thanks once again for all your help and support. Take care and stay safe, Maidstone Cares

Thanks to everyone who has supported the campaign so far. We really appreciate it. We have been given an extension until midnight this Friday to raise the last of the money. If we don't hit the target, none of the money we've raised will go to those key organisations supporting the most vulnerable in our community. We would appreciate if you can continue to share the campaign with your friends and family asking them to support it if they are in a position to do so.