London Catalyst has helped the sick and poor of London since 1873. It provides a ‘Samaritan’ fund to front line social work and advice agencies to offer immediate assistance in a crisis; providing food, clothing and basic needs to the homeless and destitute and those coping with ill health. All the money raised is distributed to a network of 100 agencies helping 7,936 people in desperate circumstances last year.

'V 'is a carer who looks after her severely autistic daughter and works one day a week providing respite care. A mix up with providing information to the DWP led to a suspension of her benefits.  'V 'was helped with a grant for her electric meter and a Foodbank Voucher.

‘B’ is a refugee who was tortured and suffers from depression and PTSD. He is socially isolated and living on a subsistence allowance. A grant provided simple ‘grounding aids’ to help cope with trauma flash backs and to purchase clothing for an interview.

The  Samaritan fund is a simple way of giving to people in need. It goes directly to the agencies that are working on the front-line with vulnerable people many struggling to cope with mental and physical ill health. A small grant can provide a lifeline, helping people to engage and resolve a difficult situation; clothing to aid discharge from hospital, a travel card to an appointment, food to eat while benefits are reinstated, and,  importantly, respite and hope for the future. 

A payment for food went to a family where the husband had to give up work to look after his wife who was terminally ill. It took two weeks for her sickness benefits and carers allowance to come through.

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