BGF has announced that it will make donations totalling £100,000 to support local community-based charities across the UK & Ireland following the onset of Coronavirus. Each BGF regional office has nominated a charity that does vital work to support vulnerable people within the communities BGF’s teams live and work in. In the North of England, Variety, the Children’s Charity has received £12,500 from BGF.
Variety exists to improve the lives of disabled children and young people living in poverty. The charity provides practical support such as wheelchair and equipment grants, days out and children’s hospital grants. The charity has been working hard to continue to deliver services to families and adapt to their emerging needs. Covid-19 has created immense challenges for families and the charity itself which faces fundraising income being reduced by 50 per cent this year.
Richard Taylor, head of BGF in Yorkshire, said: “The impact of Coronavirus has been devastating for charities. Many charities now face a huge funding shortfall because the usual calendar of fundraising events have been cancelled. At the same time, the children Variety helps have an enhanced and urgent need for support.
“We recognise that, with the support of our shareholders, BGF is in a fortunate position to be able to do more and significantly extend our charitable donations to assist. We’re really proud to have been given the opportunity as regional teams to nominate the charities we feel make a real impact here.”
Variety covers the Northern regions with teams across Merseyside, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and North Wales.
Joel Voysey, Head of Fundraising from Variety added: "We are incredibly grateful for the gift BGF have given to support Variety's work in the North of England, especially at a time when we are hearing from families that they need us more than ever as the impact of coronavirus restrictions takes its toll on their daily lives. With the money so generously donated by BGF, we will be able to provide funding for families in the north who may have been waiting for several months already to get a wheelchair, assistive technology or other specialist equipment that their child desperately needs. At the moment this funding is even more vital to ensuring those families still have their needs met and aren't left behind due to the effects of this terrible pandemic. Thank you from all of us at Variety."
