icanyoucantoo™ is a grassroots coaching and mentoring programme for young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Since 2016, over 350 young people have graduated the programme and gone on to roles in higher education or the workplace.

In our line of work, we are in contact with some of London’s most vulnerable families, who have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Many families are relying on rapidly depleting food banks, surviving on one meal a day and living with the indignity and risk of poor hygiene and sanitation. Young people have missed lots of home schooling because of connectivity issues and lack of technology to access their education.

We cannot sit here and do nothing. After all, how can we effectively educate a child that is hungry and living in abject poverty?

We have seen many families surviving on just one meal a day, meaning malnutrition is a real and present threat. We also know of a family in Havering who tragically lost a young toddler to malnutrition. Nappies, toilet roll, female sanitary products and basic hygiene necessities are difficult to source and maintain for families without means – we have seen a 14-year old girl who had not had a shower, with soap, in over two-weeks.

We need your generosity to help us keep supplying critical food, hygiene and clothing items to vulnerable families in the least privileged areas of London, who have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 crisis. Via this page you can kindly donate as little or as much as you want or can afford. All monies raised will go directly to our activities in Newham, Havering and Thurrock. Currently, we are providing:

• Regular deliveries of essential hygiene products and food;

• Seasonal items such as blankets; duvets; hats; coats; scarves and gloves ;

• Items to facilitate home learning, including laptops and text books. Also, items to encourage education and learning such as Lego, board games, and puzzles ;

• Festive items such as Christmas presents and Easter eggs for the children

Thank you sincerely in advance for your support of vulnerable families.

Follow what we do on LinkedIn (Nilesh B. Dosa) or visit our website (www.icanyoucantoo.co.uk) to learn more.