A local charity which helps victims of crime is asking people to donate what their lunch would normally cost during lockdown.

Victim Support is asking people to donate their average lunch spend to the charity in order to help it carry out its services during the current lockdown.

The charity said following the 2020 lockdown, it saw a sharp upsurge in referrals with increased pressure on its services.

The charity expects the current lockdown to follow suit.

When reviewing referral and contact figures, the charity predicts a 5% rise in all referrals and 25% increase in all contacts.

It’s anticipated that the most recent lockdown will see a 7% increase in domestic abuse referrals.

The direct cost to the charity, which relies heavily on fundraising, grants and donations is nearly at £13,500.

Victim Support volunteer Kerry Gascoyne commented: ’We appreciate that for some people, lockdown is difficult financially. If you are currently able to work from home and not attending your favourite lunch spot, we are encouraging the public to support our vital charity.

’This will make a massive impact as we continue to support victims throughout the lockdown period and beyond,’ she added.

Chair of Victim Support Isle of Man Jenny Grainger said: ’Lockdown not only increases pressure on the welfare team, who are working incredibly hard to service our clients, but it also makes it harder to fundraise, with events cancelled or postponed.

’We have to approach things differently, and we hope our campaign will grow in strength during the lockdown period.

’If roughly 2,550 people donated just one of their lunches, or 510 people donated a week’s worth of lunches, we’d hit our target of £13,500.

’It goes without saying, that we appreciate any support right now.’

Victim Support requires £90,000 a year to maintain its services.

Donations can be made to its Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/victim-support7.

Victim Support is asking people to donate their average lunch spend to the charity in order to help it carry out its services during the current lockdown.

The charity said following the 2020 lockdown, it saw a sharp upsurge in referrals with increased pressure on its services.