Fundraising for Coronavirus Relief: How You Can Help the Fight
With so much uncertainty and concern surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, it’s easy to feel helpless—but there is something we can all do to help. Aside from keeping safe and following social distancing guidelines from medical experts, we can all do our part to get help to people affected.
What is the coronavirus and how can you stay safe?
COVID-19 is a viral infection that can be transmitted from person to person. Scientists are discovering more about the disease and its spread every day. For this reason, it’s important to rely on the advice of medical experts and be wary of misinformation that is circulating, such as unproven cures and ways to fight the disease.
To get coronavirus facts, the NHS’s website is a great place to start. The NHS has provided numerous resources with ever-evolving information about the disease, and even steps to prevent the illness. It’s also good to remember basic tips on cleanliness that can reduce your risk of contracting the disease, such as washing your hands often, not touching your face, and respecting social distancing guidelines.
If you want to take added steps to prevent your risk of exposure, look to the government’s travel notices, which include information about high-risk countries. Once you ensure you’re taking the necessary steps to reduce your own risk, consider helping others that may not have as many options.
Why is it important to support those affected by COVID-19?
The impact of the coronavirus has extended far beyond those who have become infected, and those who have passed away. In the UK we saw a nation-wide shutdown with several non-essential businesses shuttered in an attempt to prevent further spread of the disease. Millions of workers were furloughed, and unemployment has skyrocketed.
With such a staggering number of people affected, needs quickly mount. Everything from basics, such as food to financial assistance to pay for things like rent is urgently needed.
As the threat of this disease grows and puts further strain on communities, here are a few things we can all consider doing to provide some relief:
1. Directly support individuals impacted by the virus
As the crisis grows, so do the negative effects to peoples’ health and their financial wellbeing, but we can all do our part to help those affected. Here’s how making a direct donation to COVID-19 fundraisers can help:
Living expenses
Hourly workers and people without paid sick leave are among the most vulnerable to the negative financial effects of the pandemic. With no way to cover expenses, workers like these will inevitably fall behind on rent and other fixed expenses. For these reasons, it’s important to get ahead of the crisis and start providing support to individuals like these.
Food, water, and other basics
Low-income households are already strained in good times but this new threat makes it even more important to provide immediate financial assistance to these households.
Helping emergency workers
Some people on GoFundMe are using the platform to fundraise to help the NHS during this difficult time. Others are fundraising to help the homeless. And these are just a few examples of what people are trying to do to help each other during this crisis. At GoFundMe, you can find many more great acts of kindness. To find more fundraisers like the ones above, check out our hub for COVID-19.
Donating directly to these fundraisers may provide the immediate financial support families and individuals need to rise above this crisis. While donating to charities or communal fundraisers is also a valid option, fundraisers for individuals may be the best way to guarantee people get the money they need to get immediate relief.
2. Create care packages with supplies
While everyone should be taking precautions, some people in our communities may be at a greater risk if they are elderly or have preexisting health conditions. For people who are not able to get around easily due to preexisting conditions, or who cannot afford to stockpile, shielding may be much harder. To help these individuals, consider creating care packages to help reduce their risk of exposure.
That’s what charity Beauty Banks did, raising thousands to help people who cannot afford to stockpile basic supplies to help them through the crisis.
If you’d like to do this on your own but don’t know where to start, consider reaching out to a local charity and ask if they would like to partner with you. Local charities may already be doing this, so it would be a great opportunity for you to volunteer your time with them.
3. Start a fundraiser for yourself or someone you know
Another way to provide support for someone impacted is by creating a fundraiser for someone in need. By setting up a fundraiser for someone that needs help, you can help them overcome potential hurdles they’re facing because of the spread of COVID-19. Setting up a GoFundMe is just one way to do this, but you can also look to other crowdfunding platforms and find the right fit.
Of course, if you’re the person in need, you may want to start a fundraiser for yourself. You may have a sick family member, have childcare needs, or even be out of work as a result of the virus. Even today, less than a year after the disease was discovered, you’ll find thousands of fundraisers that people have created, and many are for themselves. If you need emergency funds, creating a fundraiser and asking for help could make all the difference.
4. Donate to charities
Another great way to help is by supporting charities that are providing relief efforts to people and communities affected by the coronavirus. By contributing to charities that are addressing the coronavirus impact, you can provide direct support to COVID-19 fundraising on a larger scale.
If you want to find charities near you, try reaching out to organisations that typically provide the public with basics, such as food banks.
If you’re not able to donate items, or want to do your own charity fundraising, consider starting a fundraiser to support a local charity. Using GoFundMe, you can find local charities and start fundraising on their behalf.
Take action today
Start crowdfunding to help the fight against coronavirus now. By fundraising for coronavirus relief efforts, or donating to a coronavirus relief fund, we can all do our part and provide much-needed support and aid.