A SOCIAL enterprise that works with the most marginalised members of the North Wales community has been saved from closure after receiving £10,000 in emergency funding.

RainbowBiz CIC were facing a financial crisis after COVID-19 forced them to close their Hippy Shop, based in Flintshire, which used all its profits to sustain the work of the social enterprise.

With no money coming in staff feared they would have to end their work until the Steve Morgan Foundation gave them a £10,000 ‘lifeline’ to help them through the worst of the crisis.

The money will enable them to sustain the shop in Mold’s Daniel Owen Precinct for the next three months and carry on working with their most vulnerable members.

RainbowBiz CIC director Sue Oliver described the lifeline funding as “such a relief”.

She said: “When COVID-19 struck our first thought was with the people we support. We were forced to shut our Hippy Shop and were faced with the prospect of having to close the enterprise completely.

“Our work had previously been recognised by the Steve Morgan Foundation so we applied for financial assistance as part of their COVID-19 Emergency Fund and they awarded us £10,000.”

Sarah Way, director and Hippy Shop manager added that the future “looks bright again” for the work they do.

She said: “Not only is the shop our trading arm where we make money for our projects, it is also a gathering place for groups, volunteers, holistic therapists and our regular customers who we love to chat with.

“I am so relieved and humbled by this funding from the Steve Morgan Foundation that will keep our lovely shop from closing permanently.”

The social enterprise will also be able to continue contacting members, including their weekly online meet-up so people can socialise despite being housebound.

Steve Morgan, founder of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said: “Last year, RainbowBiz CIC won the Best Entrepreneurial Social Enterprise Award at the Steve Morgan Foundation Awards for the work they do with the most marginalised members of the community.

“Many of these people are extremely isolated and rely on projects like RainbowBiz for social interaction and routine. That is why we stepped in now so they can continue their good work when they are needed most.”

The Leader previously reported that the charity founder had pledged to help cash-strapped charities in the Foundation’s catchment area impacted by the critical phase of coronavirus.

Since then, the emergency fund has awarded over £750,000 of funding to support charities in North Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside.

The funding is intended to support charities delivering frontline services and is part of an overall pledge from Steve Morgan to donate up to £1million, every week for at least an initial 12-week period.