Homeless charity subjected to abuse after suspending services
Glasgow-based homeless charity The Halliday Foundation has been subjected to online abuse after it had to suspend its services as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The foundation provides assistance to homeless people in Glasgow but had to suspend its operations following government advice to slow the spread of COVID-19.
However, The Halliday Foundation has said that it had received threatening messages since the decision was made.
A statement on the foundation’s Facebook page reads: “It saddens me to report that we have received several threatening messages from others outwith our charity following the decision to temporarily suspend our normal operations.
“The decision to suspend our outreach service was a heartbreaking one to make. We reached this after a comprehensive risk assessment was undertaken from an external partner agency. To knowingly put service-users and volunteers at risk goes against everything that we stand for as a group and is also against all government and NHS guidelines.”
The Halliday Foundation said that it is continuing to support homeless people in other ways, such as dropping off food at hostels and working with the Simon Community and other charity partners.
The statement continued: “We take a zero-tolerance approach at abuse to our volunteers/charity. I would plead to all charities/volunteer groups lets work together, stop the threats, and let’s help those most in need at this difficult time. Only last month #bekind was trending in the UK.
“Together, we can get through this.”
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