Aberlour Child Care Trust has issued an urgent appeal for donations.
Scotland’s largest children’s charity is appealing for donations to help the thousands of children and families expected to suffer as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Aberlour Child Care Trust is urging those able to donate some of the money they save by working from home, such as the cost of takeaway coffees or travel fares.
The money will go to the charity’s Urgent Assistance Fund, which provides cash payments for a range of emergencies to some of the country’s most vulnerable households.
With many already struggling to feed their families or heat their homes, Aberlour is expecting “significant demand” for money to pay for food, toiletries, utility bills and emergency clothing.
Chief executive SallyAnn Kelly said: "Covid-19 is now causing severe disruption to normal everyday life: jobs are already being cut and other businesses will take some time to recover. The result is that the people worst affected will be those on low incomes. Many people unable to work because they have contracted the virus will receive statutory sick pay, however this is usually less than their normal wages and seldom sufficient to pay for all expenses a typical family may face.”
Ms Kelly said demand for the fund was already at an “unprecedented level”, with more than £57,000 given out so far this financial year. The charity now expects that total to climb sharply as the economic impact of the virus sets in.
"We know that so many people are desperate to help those less fortunate, but just don’t know how or what to do,” said Ms Kelly.
“That’s why we’re asking the public to donate some of the money they will save as a result of working from home, such as the cost of a takeaway coffee or their bus fare to work.
“If we all come together as a nation and help in a small, affordable way, it will make a huge difference to the most vulnerable in society as we help them through these unprecedented times. Please take this opportunity by donating to the Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund so that children, young people and families don’t suffer as a result of coronavirus."
