Hi, my name is Emily Fedorowycz and as the Mayor of Kettering this year, I have chosen to raise money for two charities doing some amazing work locally supporting the most vulnerable in our town.

HOUSING HELP - Accommodation Concern supports those with housing issues or those who have found themselves homeless, whilst MLSS provides free meals and food parcels to struggling families and individuals, many of which are delivered via local schools.

HOMELESSNESS is a real issue that is close to the hearts of many in Kettering, and Accommodation Concern are the main organisation supporting our rough sleepers. With this funding we hope to tackle the remaining challenges, filling the gaps in services here that are offered to rough sleepers in other towns, such as clothes washing facilities.

FOOD PARCELS - Meanwhile MLSS struggle to get funding from local funding pots as their umbrella organisation's head office is in Birmingham, despite the huge amounts of work they do locally. We hope this funding can help sustain them this year and raise their profile so businesses and other individuals can step in to support them long into the future.

Both of these charities are tackling poverty directly in Kettering and are doing some truly life-changing work. Whatever you can give, please do - and know that is making a massive difference to people who really need it.