Want to help those affected by coronavirus? Charities and fundraisers to donate to now

Toiletries: Beauty Banks’ #helpinghands appeal

Beauty Banks, a charity that provides essential toiletries to people living in poverty, has launched an appeal, #helpinghands, to support people across the UK who can’t afford the basic hygiene products needed to protect themselves and their families from the spread of coronavirus. Launched by Beauty Banks co-founder Jo Jones together with The Guardian’s beauty columnist Sali Hughes, the project aims to see hygiene parcels consisting of soap, bodywash, handwash, hand sanitiser and laundry detergent delivered to those in need.

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Food banks: Sufra and The Trussell Trust

The Covid-19 outbreak has seen even the most rational among us begin to stock our cupboards with extra goods, or traipse from shop to shop in search of loo roll. People are panic buying, supermarket shelves are being stripped bare, and food bank donations are dwindling at a rapid and worrying rate.

Sufra, a north London-based food bank and kitchen, has launched an emergency appeal to help homeless people and families experiencing hunger get access to the essential items they need to survive. Every £10 you give will provide an emergency food parcel to someone in need, while £50 can provide family of four with food, nappies and milk. You can also send food items via the charity's online shop, or provide longer-term support by setting up a monthly standing order.

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There’s also The Trussell Trust, a nationwide network of food banks providing emergency food supplies and support to those living in poverty. The charity is in need of more donations and volunteers to help it through the coronavirus outbreak.

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Supporting the arts

With the UK's theatres, galleries, museums and music venues on lockdown, the livelihoods of thousands of people are at stake. Well aware of the disastrous risks such a severe loss of business will bring, these venues are wasting no time in setting up crowdfunding campaigns. Search the websites of the venues, artists and organisations whose work you admire, and see what they’re asking for by way of a donation.

Loss of money on tickets already purchased is also set to be a big problem for venues. While many are offering refunds for shows that are no longer going ahead, most are also asking that those who are financially able to donate the cost of their ticket to keeping the venue running at this difficult time.

Many cinemas, theatres and restaurants offer vouchers, too, which can be purchased now to give institutions an immediate cash injection, and saved to use at a later date.

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Caring for children: Little Village

Little Village, a children’s charity with hubs in Wandsworth, Camden and Southwark, is calling for more donations to see it through the coronavirus outbreak. The charity, one of four to be championed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as part of their #GlobalSussexBabyShower, provides quality children’s clothing, toys and accessories (such as buggies) to families in need. The charity is currently in urgent need of nappies, wipes, toiletries (including baby wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes and shower gel) and menstrual products.

Little Village has suspended its drop-in sessions to prevent further spread of the virus, but is still accepting donations at its three hubs and via its Amazon wishlists, and financial donations can also be made via its Just Giving page.

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