Support for Northumberland charities through coronavirus crisis

The organisation says: ‘Through the Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund, we will support local charities and community organisations across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland in two stages: response, then recovery.

‘In the response stage, we will get extra money to organisations that we know are supporting older people and other vulnerable groups affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

‘In the recovery stage, we will fund a wider group of local charities and community organisations whose operations and finances have been affected so they can recover and continue their activities once the outbreak eases.

‘We will work to make sure the fund reaches the communities that need the most support.

‘We are in touch with local charity umbrella bodies and front-line organisations to see what’s needed and how funds can be spent.

‘From our 30 years’ plus experience, we know a lot of these organisations and so will quickly be able to assist them.

‘We expect the first wave of funding will go to organisations working with older people who are likely to be most seriously affected by social isolation and illness caused by the virus.’

People can support the fund, which is currently sitting at almost £350,000, via its JustGiving page – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/CoronavirusFund

This includes an initial £200,000 contribution from the Foundation as well as £100,000 from Newcastle Building Society, which has become a founding partner in the fund.

Individuals, businesses or funders who want to support the fund with a BACS donation are asked to email [email protected] to receive the relevant information.

Initial grants will be to existing grantees on the Foundation’s database, so others are not able to apply to this fund at this stage. Other funds are open for applications as usual though – http://communityfoundation.org.uk/apply

The National Emergencies Trust has also launched a national appeal to raise funds to help local charities to support those suffering hardship as a result of COVID-19, with the money raised to be distributed through local Community Foundations. More information on this is expected in the coming days.