Dudley Building Society re-established its Community Support Fund earlier this year, where £30,000 was to be allocated to nominated local charities, organisations or individuals who were supporting their local community through the cost-of-living crisis.

The mutual’s customers and members of the community were invited to have their say in how the fund should be used, by nominating those who they thought were making a big difference in the community.

Over 300 nominations were received, resulting in 100 causes being suggested.

As a result, Leslie’s Care Packages, Brierley Hill Babybank, Black Country Food Bank and The Haven Refuge have each been given a donation of £3,000. Brierley Hill Babybank will be using their donation to fund essential items such as mattresses and bottle sterilisers, as well as to support and upskill their workers, ready for the introduction of their family hubs concept.

The remaining £18,000 of the fund has been distributed to 21 other local community support organisations. Some of which provide hot meals and free food donations, offer pet food parcels to those on low income, support the struggling or homeless, support cancer sufferers, improve the local environment and much more.

Lorraine Breese-Price, Dudley’s chief operations officer, said: “Dudley Building Society is at the heart of our local community, so we wanted to recognise and reward those community heroes who are going above and beyond to help during the cost-of-living crisis. Our customers and communities have had their say and helped us to identify so many deserving causes that operate quietly and selflessly.

“We hope that the Community Support Fund donations will be a welcome and added boost to help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in the community during these difficult times.”