We’re living through an unprecedented situation. No doubt many of you reading this are feeling anxious about you and your loved ones, as am I.
The whole nation is currently gripped by this crisis. It’s hard not to be. However, as a family and as a company, we’re keen to do what we can to bring people together to respond in a positive and constructive way and help protect and support those who will be most affected.
One of the first ways we’ve decided to respond is through The Big Give. At noon today, the Big Give will be launching an emergency match fund to raise money for those who will be affected most by the COVID-19 virus over the coming weeks and months. Match funding is a proven way to encourage more people to give and people to give more.
All funds raised will be directed to The National Emergencies Trust, a charity which will distribute funds to support grassroots efforts across the UK to meet the needs of those most affected by this crisis. The National Emergencies Trust will distribute money raised through a number of charitable organisations, for example, local Community Foundations, to ensure it reaches those who need it most. As the crisis unfolds, they will help identify the greatest need and distribute funds with both care and speed wherever possible.
I have personally committed £100,000 to the appeal and Sir Alec Reed has agreed that The Reed Foundation will match this. We will therefore be committing an initial £200,000 to the match fund and the Big Give will work through its philanthropy network to grow this amount.
Please do all you can to support this campaign:
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Promote: Please use your social channels to share this campaign with friends, family and clients https://donate.thebiggive.org.uk/covid-19 using #Covid19EmergencyAppeal. Throughout the campaign we’ll be encouraging people to think about what they can donate e.g. from the money they may be saving from working from home #DonateYourCommute, #DonateYourBarBill, #DonateYourFootballTicket
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Donate: If you feel able to, donate what you can and see your donation doubled
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Connect: If you know people who may be able to contribute large donations to the match fund please ask them to contact info@thebiggive.org.uk
Please make sure everyone in your network knows about this campaign. It’s very important that we all do what we can at this time of national crisis. Thank you.