Bradley’s foundation in plea to firms as Covid-19 hits donations
CASH FROM PUBLIC FALLS BY 50%
DONATIONS to the Bradley Lowery Foundation have dried up due to the coronavirus, leaving cancer-stricken kids in desperate need of help.
The charity has revealed donations have halved during the pandemic, as the public feel the pinch.
The foundation was set up in memory of tragic Bradley. The Sunderland AFC fan, whose fight against cancer touched the nation, died in 2017 aged six.
It aims to help children suffering from rare conditions not covered by the NHS.
However, like many parts of society, it has not escaped from the economic devastation caused by Covid-19.
“We are at least 50% down on donations since the start of the pandemic, and for some of the children we support, literally nothing has come in at all,” said the foundation’s co-founder Lynn Murphy. One child who we support in Ipswich has lost an estimated £30,000 due to events being cancelled because of the virus.
“Many of the children need to raise tens of thousands of pounds to get the treatment they need, so this virus has been devastating for them.”
Nationally, charities and good causes face a £10bn shortfall due to the virus.
A report in June stated that one in 10 were facing bankruptcy – despite a soaring demand for services during the pandemic.
With the threat of mass unemployment and a recession looming, the charity is now calling on businesses to step in and provide what could ultimately be “life-saving” help.
“Everyone is in the same boat and people do not have the money that they may have once had to give,” added Lynn.
“I get it, charity does begin at home, and when you have to cut costs you look at what doesn’t affect you personally first.
“I’d probably do the same in that situation, as when you are struggling to put food on your kid’s table, you have to do whatever you can.
“But at the end of the day, businesses can support charities and write the donation off at the end of the tax year, so we are looking for their help.
“It may not even be a large donation – it could just be that they hold a fundraising event at work like a dress down day – but we are calling on them for help.”
Currently, the foundation supports around 15 children across the UK.
Some are battling neuroblastoma, the rare cancer which Bradley bravely battled.
As the diseases are not covered on the NHS, many courses of treatment are carried out in the USA, with cash raised aimed at covering both the treatment and travel costs.
Everyone is in the same boat and people do not have the money that they may have once had to give CO-FOUNDER LYNN MURPHY