The British Red Cross has launched a new UK Solidarity Fund to “help the victims of terror anywhere in the UK” following recent terrorist attacks in London and Manchester.
The UK Solidarity Fund was launched by the British Red Cross yesterday and has been set up as a page on digital fundraising platform JustGiving. It has so far raised over £74,000 from over 3,300 supporters.
In a statement on its website, the British Red Cross said: “Following Saturday night’s attack in London, the British Red Cross is now established a UK-wide appeal to people affected by terror attacks anywhere in the UK when they occur.
“The donations will help alleviate immediate suffering and ensure that victims and their families do not face short-term financial difficulties”.
The British Red Cross has been running the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund in partnership with Manchester City Council and Manchester Evening news since the bomb attack on an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May.
According to the charity, the UK Solidarity Fund will “be distributed via the British Red Cross in accordance with the need and scale of human crisis caused by terrorist attacks in this country”.
Commenting on the launch of the new fund, Mike Adamson, chief executive of the British Red Cross, said: “The events in these two great British cities in the last two weeks are shocking and horrifying. Our thoughts are with all of those affected at this terribly difficult time.
“The new UK Solidarity Fund will support victims of the attacks and their families, and provide a way for people to donate to help those affected in their time of need.
“It will also help us to stand prepared to swiftly provide support in the event of future incidents. British Red Cross staff and volunteers are on the ground right now in both cities providing practical and emotional support.
“We will do all we can to help the victims and their families, wherever they are and whoever they are, in keeping with the Red Cross principles of humanity, unity and neutrality.”
One Love Manchester concert raises £2.6m
A benefit concert organised by singer Ariana Grande held in Manchester last night has raised £2.6m for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, with donations, sales from merchandise and TV rights still to be tallied.
The sold-out concert, which was held at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground, was organised by Grande’s touring company, which pledged to donate all net proceeds of the show. The concert was broadcast live by the BBC and on Twitter, and featured an SMS call to action to donate £5 to the We Love Emergency Fund.
In Fundraising Magazine
The We Love Manchester Emergency Fund – an amalgamation of a number of appeals run by the British Red Cross, Manchester Evening News and Manchester City Council – has now raised around £9m, and is currently in the process of registering with the Charity Commission as a separate charity.
The fund made available £1m worth of funding to “those who have been injured or bereaved” as a result of the attack last week.
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