Charities face a crisis of their own just when kindness is needed most

This coronavirus pandemic is truly a global, national and local challenge. It is no respecter of any boundaries of geography, age or privilege – the whole population is on the front line. If this is a battle, then how is it to be won? As a population we are all following – or should be – the public health messages about handwashing and social distancing, the Government is pumping billions into the economy to save businesses and jobs, and the Prime Minister is doing his best to keep us informed through his daily press conferences. But is this enough?

Any student of history knows that battles are primarily battles of human will. Similarly, this battle will only be won by determination and perseverance, fuelled by something extra – the power of kindness. Set against the chaos of people fighting and jostling in supermarkets to claim the last pack of lavatory paper is the example of the unknown shopper who, overhearing a gentleman asking for a packet of mince and being told there was none left, followed him out of the shop and insisted he took one of hers, at no cost. That is the quality of kindness needed right across the country.

Kindness can express itself in many ways when so many people need help – the lonely because they are self-isolating, those who are ill, others who are frightened or who are running out of money to pay their bills or buy food. This is where charities and community groups can make a big difference – on the ground, where people are in real need. But just at the time when they are needed most, many charities are struggling to survive. Their traditional means of fundraising have dried up. Social distancing means charity concerts, cake sales and quizzes are cancelled, while the London Marathon that raises so much for charities has been postponed.

As things stand, the charitable sector is reliant on the generosity of the general public. The National Emergencies Trust (Net), which was set up after the Manchester Arena bombing and the Grenfell Tower fire, launched an appeal on Wednesday, brilliantly promoted in a film clip by the Duke of Cambridge.

Already, more than £3million has been donated by the public and generous corporations, and the figure is steadily rising.

The Net will distribute money to where it is needed on the ground through Community Foundations, whose network runs throughout the UK. Very shortly, money will be flowing from these foundations, who will be able to make local grants to those in need. The Net itself is composed of many of the larger charities in this country and their chief executives are the trustees of the Net. So there is high confidence that whatever is given to the Net Appeal will be handled carefully and applied where it is needed most.