Charity's £100 gift is 'simple idea offering hope'

Victoria Platt said the cash payments were a good start

People in Birmingham have reacted to a new scheme offering £100 cash payments to those in need.

The initiative has been founded by advertising executive Trevor Beattie, who grew up in Balsall Heath and said he would be making a "substantial personal donation" to the project.

Tons of Help for Brum will provide unconditional grants to people in the city who are struggling, attempting to provide "immediate support".

Food banks, refuges and schools across the city are being asked to share news of the programme, which is timed to coincide with Christmas.

"This time of year can be a challenge for so many people," Mr Beattie said.

"Tons of Help is a very simple idea which will offer a bit of hope: one hundred pounds, a ton in the hand. No judgement. No repayments required.

"It may not change your life. But it might just save your Christmas. It will remind Brummies in need that someone out there cares."

Trevor Beattie was on on board a Virgin Galactic flight to space in October 2023

In Balsall Heath, one man said the £100 payment could be "good but also bad".

"With foodbanks, when you go, you know what you're getting, how much you're getting and the expiry date but with money [people] could be spending it anywhere," he said.

Victoria Platt praised the payments but said more was needed.

"A one-off payment is a lovely gesture but it isn't going to go far, it's a good start but realistically people need more than that," she said.

Dr Danilo Spinola said the project would help strugling families but more was needed for a long-term solution

Charities such as the Independent Food Aid Network advocate a cash-first model, arguing that direct payments offer dignity compared with reliance on food banks or in-kind support.

Dr Danillo Spinola, an economics lecturer at Birmingham City University who specialises in cash transfers, said it was unusual for an economy like the UK to have the initiative but he welcomed the idea.

"In the short term, it is beneficial for financially struggling families, they will have an opportunity to relieve part of the struggle especially during winter.

"What Trevor Beattie is doing right now will mitigate the problem in the short term but if you're thinking about long term, this is insufficient.

"This needs to come together with the alignment of policies and rights that can put people to work in quality jobs and guarantee that they have a good position to take them out of poverty," Mr Spinola added.

The initiative builds on Beattie's earlier work through the Jack and Ada Beattie Foundation, established in 2011 to provide help to individuals in need.

Grant applications opened on 31 October and will close on 23 January.

The project's launch will be marked by a fundraising gala on Thursday at the Midlands Arts Centre.