The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is one of 100 UK charities to be awarded a £100,000 donation from Barclays, which will help the charity to continue to support the UK and Ireland construction community.
Charities were invited to apply for one of 100 donations of £100,000, and Barclays was inundated with hundreds of applications from charities across the UK, who are struggling to deliver on-the-ground support to vulnerable communities impacted by the current coronavirus pandemic.
Barclays launched its 100×100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme to support relief work in local communities. The programme, which forms part of its wider COVID-19 Community Aid Package, focuses on supporting UK charity partners who are meeting the immediate needs of people in our communities, including low income families, those facing financial hardship, isolated elderly people and key workers.
Bill Hill, chief executive officer of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, said: “We were absolutely over the moon when we heard that we had been selected by Barclays to receive a £100,000 donation. This will make a huge difference to our construction workers in crisis, who have kept the country’s infrastructure going through incredibly difficult and challenging times.
“With two construction workers taking their own life every working day, we need to provide even more pro-active support to ensure that our workforce has access to the help they need and deserve. Our mission is that no construction worker or their family is alone in a crisis, and this hugely generous donation will help us to achieve that as we embark on yet another difficult year.”
Nigel Higgins, the chairman of Barclays, added: “COVID-19 has created an unprecedented social and economic impact in the UK, with many experiencing greater hardship due to the crisis. Incredible charities, such as the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity have been playing a vital role in the UK’s response to the pandemic, ensuring urgent help reaches those most in need of support.
“As a bank we have been doing all we can for our customers, clients and colleagues, and we hope that by partnering with the Lighthouse Club Charity and many other charities across the UK, collectively we can ensure that as many people as possible in the communities in which we live, and work are supported through this crisis.”
