£100,000 has been donated to four UK and Irish charities that are focussed on providing much needed services and support to communities struggling as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Employees from News UK, Dow Jones and HarperCollins UK voted for Age UK, ALONE, Mind and NHS Charities Together to be beneficiaries of this year’s News Corp Giving programme. All four charities are doing important work in supporting communities during these difficult times and will each receive £25,000. 

Daisy Dunlop, Director of Corporate Affairs at News UK, said: “This year our News Corp Giving donations, nominated by staff, are all focussed on charities responding to the urgent impact of coronavirus. In tandem with other fundraising through our editorial and radio stations, our partnership with these charities will continue throughout the year to contribute the maximum impact.”

News Corp’s donation to Mind’s appeal is a donation to everyone experiencing a mental health problem during these difficult times – whether they’re struggling with isolation, anxious about their own or their loved one’s health, worrying about the future, or fighting on the frontline to save lives. Emma Ihsan, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind said: “On behalf of everyone at Mind, we would like to thank News Corp for your generous donation of £25,000 in support of our emergency appeal”. 

ALONE is a national organisation in Ireland that works with all older people, including those who are lonely, isolated, frail or ill, homeless, living in poverty, or are facing other difficulties. "Since the outbreak of COVID-19, it has expanded its services to respond to all older people in Ireland who have concerns, may be at risk or who have contracted COVID-19." "We would like to thank News Corp UK and all their staff for their phenomenal donation and support," said ALONE CEO Seán Moynihan. "This generosity will support us to continue to provide our services to older people nationwide throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and into the future. Through our national COVID-19 helpline and our other services, we are working with thousands of older people experiencing difficulties with loneliness, mental and physical health, housing and finance at this time, and who need this support now more than ever."

Laurie Boult, Age UK’s Fundraising Director said: “Age UK is delighted to have been voted one of News Corp Giving’s charities for this year, which means so much during this period of great anxiety for everyone, but especially for older people and their loved ones. Age UK is determined to be there for older people who need our help and especially for those who have no one else to turn to in this time of crisis. Thank you for making sure we can respond to the growing needs and unprecedented demand we’re seeing.” The News Corp donation will support Age UK’s network of more than 130 local Age UK charities across the country to provide essential food and medicine deliveries as well as befriending support for older people living in their communities, and support Age UK’s national Information & Advice lines and telephone friendship services.

Commenting on its donation, Ellie Orton, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, said: “Thank you, News Corp UK, for including NHS Charities Together on your shortlist for charity donations. The funding we receive will make a big difference to the support NHS charities can provide to NHS staff, volunteers and patients impacted by COVID-19”. NHS Charities Together is working with NHS England and their member NHS charities on a nationally-coordinated response to the coronavirus pandemic, running a national appeal to support NHS staff, volunteers and patients impacted by the virus. 

Now in its sixth year, the initiative opens up further opportunities for employees to get involved in volunteering, fundraising and long-term support.