Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation announced the 13 charities that will share in almost $600,000 to enable projects that address specific community hardship as a result of COVID-19.

Many charities have been forced to cease or adapt their community outreach and fundraising operations as a direct result of the pandemic. The grants will provide each charity recipient with the funding they need to adapt their services and help create wider access to vital support services.

Mackillop Family Services will expand and adapt their Seasons for Growth trauma program which will provide emotional and wellbeing support to over 700 young people across the Mid North Coast.

Little Wings will be able to fly specialist doctors from John Hunter Hospital to Mid North Coast communities providing seriously ill children with access to the treatment they need to survive.

Across all regions, the National Stroke Foundation will deliver StrokeLine Outreach, a vital new service that will integrate and connect stroke survivors with existing services and supports so they can remain safe and navigate their recovery.

The KIDS Foundation will provide children with an essential health education resource to help them understand their role in keeping themselves and others germ free.

Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) will create a new online youth centre which aims to educate, empower and inspire young people who have experienced trauma or disadvantage and to break negative cycles through the power of music.

Life Education NSW will deliver a new Auslan translated online health education series to special needs schools, enabling more children, no matter their location or personal circumstances, to have the same access to health education during and beyond COVID-19.

Chair of Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, Jennifer Leslie said the funding will enable vital support services to be delivered to Mid North Coast communities that are most vulnerable and have been extremely disadvantaged and marginalised as a result of the pandemic. T

"Our mission is simple but strong, 'to help rewrite the future of people in need'. This mission is shared with our dedicated charity partners and together we are helping those in our regional communities who are disadvantaged, isolated and vulnerable.

"The Charitable Foundation congratulates and thanks all of grants recipients announced today for their dedication and innovation in developing ways for our community to commence rebuilding beyond COVID-19."

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