Our Christmas Appeal: You can make a real difference says Premier

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The Prime Minister sent a message encouraging people throughout Yorkshire to support our fundraising campaign in the run-up to Christmas, lauding the community projects which will benefit as "effective schemes that really make a difference to people's lives."

Mr Cameron praised the region's "incredible" sense of community spirit, and drew parallels between the small-scale charity work being supported by our appeal and his own vision of a "Big Society", in which volunteers have a key role to play.

The Communities in Need appeal, which began two weeks ago, calls on readers and local businesses to pledge money towards a regional fighting-fund which will help small-scale community schemes battling poverty around Yorkshire.

Over the past fortnight, our campaign has highlighted the shocking hidden deprivation which can be found in every corner of the region, from bustling city to sleepy rural village. We have discovered pensioners who rely on food parcels and free hot lunch clubs to ward off malnutrition, despite having worked in Yorkshire their entire lives. We have revealed the plight of families, trapped by low-paid work, who need charity hand-outs just to pay their heating bills. And we have given a voice to the homeless people living rough on the streets of our towns and cities.

On the eve of the appeal launch, the Government agreed to offer 1 for 1 match-funding for each donation made wherever possible. And last night the Prime Minister said: "It's great to see the Yorkshire Post supporting local action with this campaign.

"As a Government, we are determined to play our part in tackling poverty by addressing its root causes – making sure we have a fair tax and welfare system, giving children the best start in life and supporting people to get into work. But it's all of our responsibility to work together and do everything we can to tackle inequality."

The campaign has shone a light on a number of the invaluable community projects which are helping people in need around the region – examples of the types of scheme which will be supported by readers' donations.

Mr Cameron said: "When we talk about the 'Big Society', the projects backed by this campaign are exactly the kind of thing we mean – small but effective grassroots schemes that really make a difference to people's lives.

"I know Yorkshire has an incredible sense of community spirit, and I'm sure the Yorkshire Post's campaign will be a tremendous success."

The campaign is being run in conjunction with the Yorkshire Community Foundations, a network of charities which distribute funds to small-scale projects throughout the region.

Stephen Hammersley, chief executive of the national Community Foundation Network, said: "We would like to congratulate the Yorkshire Post on its Communities in Need appeal. Community Foundations have developed great expertise in giving grants to charities and community project run by passionate people who have been inspired to improve their local areas. These are the kind of groups who can make a quite small grant go an incredibly long way.

"Readers who contribute to the appeal will be able to take comfort from the fact that, in a very short period of time, the money will be out in the community helping these groups get on with the job that they do best – transforming lives."