The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is launching a crisis appeal, so that it can respond to the needs of its workforce as a result of the coronavirus.
The charity is dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of construction workers and their families in the UK and Ireland.
In an industry where two workers take their own life every single working day, and where stress, depression and anxiety, account for a fifth of all work related illness, the charity is already seeing a devastating impact on the people that keep the infrastructure going, build energy plants, our homes and places of work.
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity relies heavily on event income to fund its 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline, but the current COVID-19 pandemic has decimated its national and regional events. So, at a time when the construction community needs its support the most, the charity simply doesn’t have the resources to be able to respond in the face of this ever-increasing cry for help.
Bill Hill, chief executive officer of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, said: “As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the calls to our Construction Industry Helpline are currently increasing by over 25% a week. Many of the calls received are from self-employed tradespeople, agency staff or workers on zero hour contracts who cope from week to week. They are often only one or two paydays away from poverty. They need our help to feed their families and to pay their bills for heating and lighting.”
This is a difficult time for everyone, but the charity hopes that it can count on the industry’s generosity to make sure that none of the construction workers and their families are left alone in a crisis.
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has also pledged that not one penny of the crisis fund will be diverted to charity overheads, and that every penny donated will reach the people that really need it.
Urging the industry to help spread the word about the charity’s Construction Industry Helpline and app, Bill said: “Whether you’re in a position to donate or not, we are here for you. Our 24/7 helpline and app will enable anyone that needs help to access emergency financial support and mental health and wellbeing information and guidance”.
Please get behind the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and donate what you can today. You can watch the appeal video here.
