Meet Lucy.

Lucy is 32, a single-parent mother of one, living in Willen.

But nobody sees her poverty, and nobody knows her struggle.

Nobody knows that she lost her job in the pandemic and is now struggling to find regular work.

Nobody knows that she is struggling to heat her house.

Nobody knows that she must visit the local food bank to feed herself and her child.

Nobody knows that she is falling into ever increasing debt and that she lost her car, so must rely on buses which she can’t always afford.

Nobody knows that she is behind with her rent and her small daughter could be homeless soon if she can’t get a job.

Nobody knows that she can’t sleep at night because of all the anxiety and depression she must fight through each and every day.

Nobody knows because nobody really sees her. She’s invisible, and so is her desperate situation.

If you knew, what would you do?

Poverty is now a reality for many families in Milton Keynes but we don’t always see the people and the children affected.

They live in our neighbourhood but they’re often invisible to us.

MK Community Foundation's Cost-of-Living appeal aims to raise funds from businesses and residents to help support more people like Lucy.

How you can help:

There are many ways for you to get involved and support the appeal.

1) Make a donation

Every penny donated to this appeal will directly fund charities and projects that will support their local communities through the Winter months of a cost-of-living crisis.

Every donation, from £10 to £1000 will help change a life.

2) Create your own fundraising page

Tap the orange button labelled 'Start Fundraising' at the top of this page - here you can securely raise funds and support the cost-of-living appeal.

You could host a coffee morning, a festive jumper day, a sponsored challenge, or something completely unique. You'll become part of a community committed to supporting those who need it most.

3) Share this page with your family and colleagues

Help spread awareness of this appeal and the challenges facing residents in our community.

- More than 1 in 3 children in MK live in poverty.

- Over 8000 households are in fuel poverty.

- 43% of Universal Credit claimants are in work.

- 12% of neighbourhoods in MK are in the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in the UK.

Together, we can ensure help reaches those who need it most, when they need it most.