Barnardo’s Scotland and Action for Children have delivered £500k of support during lockdown.

Children’s charities Barnardo’s Scotland and Action for Children have distributed more than £500k of support to vulnerable families during the coronavirus lockdown.

Over the past ten weeks, the charities have helped children, young people and families through their community-based services, preventing a great number from falling into crisis.

Money allocated to the charities from the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund has been used to provide vital support across the country such as food shopping, payment of energy bills, emergency cash payments and provision of digital devices to enable children to do school work.

In total, the two charities have distributed £550,850 to families across Scotland who have been hit hardest during this pandemic.

Martin Crewe, director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: "Coronavirus is hitting the most vulnerable in our communities the hardest. We were shocked by the immediate and devastating impact of the pandemic across Scotland.

“Our frontline staff have identified families and young people most in need and we have processed allocation of payments within 24 hours. All administration costs are covered by the charities to ensure every pound goes to those in dire need of our support.”

Paul Carberry, Action for Children director for Scotland, added: “Across Scotland, staff from our projects work in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities and have witnessed first-hand the effect of this pandemic.

“Working in partnership with Barnardo’s Scotland, our collective reach means that we have been able to distribute immediate support to those who need it most. This investment from the Scottish Government has been a lifeline helping those most affected by the pandemic.”