BHF comment
Charity support plan important first step, but more will be needed
The Government’s £750 million charity support package is an important first step, but more must be done to protect the future of the sector, we say.
Millions of people are reliant on services and support provided by charities and volunteers to help them through this troubling time, and the ability to continue funding medical research has never been more critical.
At the British Heart Foundation, we are doing all we can to support the 7.4million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK, particularly as information to date suggests they are at higher risk of developing complications from coronavirus (Covid-19).
We are also fully committed to supporting the national effort to tackle the coronavirus. For example, we will continue to support clinical researchers whose posts we directly fund, alongside any of their support staff we fund in their award, if they choose to redeploy their time and efforts to Covid-19 research.
However, the Covid-19 crisis has tested us and other charities more than ever before, and this will have a severe financial impact. We predict that the pandemic will cost us around £10 million each month.
While this funding promised by the Government is a step in the right direction, it is crucial that we see further support for the sector.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, our Chief Executive, said:
“As with many charities across the country, our shops have closed, and scores of fundraising events have been cancelled. This means as a charity we are now losing around £10m each month during the Covid-19 pandemic – a severe threat to our mission to fund life saving research. The support charities give to medical research must not be overlooked in a crisis that ultimately research is critical in solving.
“At the same time, we are working harder than ever to support the millions of people living with heart and circulatory diseases during this difficult and uncertain time. Our cardiac nurses and dietitians on our Heart Helpline, for instance, have been taking more than double the usual number of calls in this period.
“The Government’s package of support for charities is an important first step in mitigating the some of the most extreme effects of the crisis on the sector. But people in need up and down the country depend on a strong civil society – not one just about staying afloat.
“We will continue to work with other charities in making sure the government knows what further steps it may need to take so that the sector can provide the best support possible in this toughest of times.”