The F Word – The Fed’s national television show –  was broadcast last month launching the charity’s £2m annual appeal and the verdict of the charity’s leadership is unequivocal: “It was an unrivalled success!

“We were looking for a way to excite and engage people with our cause despite not being able to hold our traditional appeal dinner. The F Word did the job, and then some!

“It kicked off our 12 month appeal with an amazing £800,000 of donations flooding in from the show. But the job’s far from done – we have £1.2m of essential funding still to raise over the next ten months,” said Raphi Bloom, The Fed’s Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications.

The show’s centrepiece poem – “Not Alone” – by Tony Walsh focuses on the history of the Manchester Jewish community and the role of The Fed as its safety net for over 150 years – from those fleeing pogroms in the 19th century to those battling hardship during the pandemic.

“We were overwhelmed by the community’s generous support which clearly indicated that they understand how vital The Fed is to thousands of Jewish people across Greater Manchester. The F Word’s unique TV format enabled us tell our story with even greater impact and to reach a much wider audience than a traditional appeal dinner.

“The follow up we undertook also enabled us to engage with our donors is very personal way which was appreciated.

“However it represented only the first half of the match.  The success of the second half, when we need to raise the remaining £1.2 million for this campaign year, will determine the survival of core services.

“This past year has witnessed some really heart-warming outpourings of generosity by this community for a number of emergency appeals and for London-based charities with satellite services in Manchester.

“What differentiates The Fed from such causes is twofold: every year is an emergency for us – if we don’t succeed we will no longer be able to offer life enhancing, and often even life-saving services, and Jewish people here in Manchester will suffer! And yes, in some cases, actually die. It is as stark as that.

“The demand for help from The Fed is still growing and will continue to do so. It is what drives our staff, trustees and volunteers forward every day.

“Moreover, as a local, Manchester only, charity, almost all of our funding comes from home support. Our services are not underwritten by the larger number of donors and wealth found in London communities.

“One in eight Jewish homes across our region receive help from The Fed – a staggering statistic. We support people from cradle to grave with every imaginable social care issue. But that’s only possible if we can rely on the continuing loyalty of the community we exist to serve.

To those who have already supported our work we say thank you once again; to those who have not done so yet we say please do! And as one line says in Tony’s poem “the love that’s ever needed, needs you more than ever now”.