National lottery operator Camelot has today (April 8) announced a £25,000 contribution to the NFRN’s Covid-19 Hardship Fund to help independent retailers in financial crisis.
Commenting on the generous donation, Camelot retail director Jenny Blogg said:
“At this time of great uncertainty and disruption, I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of NFRN members in ensuring that their businesses continue to provide for their communities and customers.
“As the coronavirus crisis continues, I also want to thank them for the support they have shown to Camelot, The National Lottery and the Good Causes it supports. This funding has never been more crucial than it is now, as we help the country respond to the Covid-19 crisis. For example, The National Lottery Community Fund will support vulnerable communities with up to £300million of funding.
“My team and I fully appreciate that the key priorities for independent retailers at this time are the well-being of staff and a safe environment for customers. To offer our support and appreciation, we are proud to contribute £25,000 towards the NFRN Covid-19 Hardship Fund.”
Welcoming this donation, NFRN National President Stuart Reddish said:
“We are incredibly grateful to our long standing friends at Camelot for recognising the importance of the independent retail sector and bolstering our ability to help even more independent retailers who through no fault of their own are in financial crisis.
“With the NFRN Covid-19 Fund only launching on Monday, we would like to thank Camelot for acting so quickly and so generously in lending support.”
The NFRN Covid-19 Fund aims to alleviate some of the financial pressures that independent retailers may be facing. Assistance in the form of a grant is available to members suffering severe hardship in the form of a grant.
Unveiling the fund, Mr Reddish said: “The impact of Covid-19 on the lives and businesses of some independent retailers has been unprecedented. We are acutely aware that some members are facing significant day to day financial challenges and that the help and support that we already provide to them needs to be boosted.
The NFRN has identified and will be contacting members that it believes could benefit from a hardship fund grant. Other members suffering hardship can also apply via a form on the NFRN website (NFRNOnline.com).