British insurance giant Aviva is backing NHS Charities Together to the tune of £5 million.
In an announcement over the Easter break, Aviva said the amount will aid in the areas of welfare and wellbeing for NHS employees, volunteers, and patients; assistance for patients leaving hospital; and long-term mental health support for NHS workers.
“We are seeing extraordinary efforts, particularly from NHS workers who are on the front line helping to keep us safe in the global fight against COVID-19,” noted Aviva’s global chief executive for general insurance Colm Holmes. “But we all have a part to play in defeating the virus.
“The funding for NHS Charities Together will help provide vital support to NHS workers, patients, and communities and ensure that support reaches more people, quickly.”
The insurer also recently donated £10 million to the British Red Cross, as well as hand sanitisers, rubber gloves, antiseptic wipe pod refills, and face masks to key worker organisations and charities. In addition, Aviva employees who volunteer full-time for the NHS and British Red Cross will still get their full pay from the firm.
Meanwhile NHS Charities Together CEO Ellie Orton commented: “We have pledged to raise £100 million to help support NHS workers throughout the coronavirus crisis. Aviva’s donation will make a real difference to the amazing NHS staff, volunteers, and patients who are on the front line.
“It’s important that these individuals know just how much the nation appreciates their efforts, and actions such as this show how much people care.”
In a separate development, Zurich UK has donated masks to the likes of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, AGE Concern Northern Ireland, Tooting Police, as well as University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Legal & General, meanwhile, has launched a £500,000 emergency community fund for charities and voluntary organisations which generate under £1.5 million of income and are supporting elderly and vulnerable people through the crisis. Application for grants is open until April 20.
