Covid-19 fundraising via JustGiving tops £180m

Online donations platform JustGiving has revealed that £180m has been raised through its pages to support communities impacted by Covid-19.

Since the first lockdown, in March 2020, the platform saw 18,927 pages created specifically to combat the impact of the pandemic.

This included supporting NHS charities, food banks and small community organisations.

“We are JustGiving were humbled by your incredible community spirit and support,” said the platform.

The most notable online fundraising campaign was set up by Captain Tom Moore.

The centenarian war veteran’s sponsored walk raised 32 million for NHS Charities Together at the start of lockdown. His efforts earned him a knighthood and a spot in the Guiness Book of World Records. According to JustGiving Moore’s achievement went on to inspire 1,120 people to start their own fundraising page.

Three-year-old Daisy Briggs was among those inspired to by Captain Moore to set up a fundraising page. She has raised more than £21,000 for NHS Charities Together by wearing a different colour of the rainbow for her daily walks during lockdown. Daisy has spina bifida, hydrocephalus, hip dysplasia and talipes and is regularly supported by the NHS.

Among other notable Covid-19 related fundraising via the online platform was the Create 180 group of TV and entertainment industry designers, carpenters and artists. They raised more than £27,000 to make protective face shields for workers at risk in the NHS and frontline care services.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is in high demand as our incredible NHS, emergency services and frontline heroes risk their lives to protect ours 💙

That's why Hal and his friends have started producing and distributing masks to those who need them: https://t.co/esEIoabRkn pic.twitter.com/I7zpX6KSbP
— JustGiving (@JustGiving) April 17, 2020

JustGiving added: “We saw people go above and beyond to make sure our NHS heroes were supported throughout the pandemic. From sending pizza to hospitals, helping create PPE for staff, to raising money for support and mental health, your support has been fantastic.”

The online donations platform has also revealed that more than 1,410 people created pages to support the Black Lives Matter movement during 2020.

In addition, 6,830 pages were created to support food banks during a year that was beset with financial uncertainty and unemployment for many families impacted by the pandemic and social distancing restrictions.