Almost £11m raised in first week of Coronavirus Appeal
March 26, 2020. The National Emergencies Trust today announced the first allocations of nearly £2.5m will be going out to front line charities to help those most in need. The money will be distributed through UK Community Foundations to 46 local community foundations across the country.
This initial allocation is just the start. To date almost £11m has been pledged to the Trust with the nation’s businesses and major charitable trusts stepping forward to help. A further allocation of funds will be made in the coming days.
Lord Dannatt, Chairman of the National Emergencies Trust, said: “We are delighted that there is growing support for the Trust and that we have been able to start getting money out to organisations who can help people within a week of launching.
“But we need much more. That’s why we are calling on everyone, even at this unsettling time to dig deep and make a contribution. That generosity will ensure that we get through this unprecedented time with our most vulnerable communities cared for and supported.”
Rosemary Macdonald, Interim CEO of UK Community Foundations, said: “Never before have we had to pull together so quickly to support the most vulnerable in our society. Through our network of 46 community foundations, we have an in-depth understanding of local need and will ensure the generous donations support local groups to tackle this crisis.”
Anyone can make a donation at: www.nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk
Ways in which funds from the appeal will help people include:
- Getting food to people who are isolated and in greatest need
- Protecting our most vulnerable children while schools are closed
- Helping people who have recently left hospital to recover at home
- Supporting people with their mental wellbeing
- Helping people who are struggling with debt.
Last week’s appeal was launched in partnership with the British Red Cross and with the support of the Duke of Cambridge and the Trust has received thousands of donations from the public, companies and charitable foundations. The most significant contributions have come from the following:
Charitable trusts
- The Sainsbury family has come together to contribute £3m, £1m each from three of the family’s charitable foundations, the Indigo Trust, The Three Guineas Trust and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation
- Westminster Abbey
- CHK Foundation
- SC Catto Charitable Trust
- CASE Foundation
- Garfield Weston Foundation
Companies
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- Hewlett-Packard
- Marks & Spencer
- RBS
- NatWest
- Nationwide
- BlackRock
- Majedie Asset Management
- Mulberry
- Co-op
- Iceland
- The FA
- M&G Investments
- Quilter
- REED
- Bloom & Wild
- Warehouse
- Jayley.com
- National Grid
- ERDEM
- Stream Marine Training
- SchoolsTrader
- Just a Splash
- AI Corporation
- Just Giving
- GoFundMe
- BigGive
- Muslim Giving
- VirginMoneyGiving
- LaunchGood
- Give Brite
- Ramadan Giving
- Paypal Giving
- Crowdfunder
- Benevity
Among those backing the campaign are a number of Premier League stars who have launched #FootballUnited — a new initiative with the aim of raising £100,000 to help local communities through the National Emergencies Trust appeal. Those who have already pledged their support include:
- Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin
- Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- Chelsea starlet Reece James and sister Lauren, who plays for Manchester United
- Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend
- Burnley star Dwight McNeil
- And England striker Callum Wilson
