DONATIONS are coming in for the new ‘lifeline’ fund set up by Scottish licensed trade charity The Ben.
With fundraising events cancelled for the foreseeable future, The Ben is asking those who had planned on attending to now make an equivalent donation to the lifeline fund: justgiving.com/campaign/saveyourlocal
The fund will allow the charity to provide extra support to the trade amid the coronavirus crisis.
Stephen McGowan, president of The Ben, said there has been a spike in requests for assistance since bars and restaurants were ordered to close on March 20.
“My message today is this: If you were due to attend a Ben event or support a particular initiative over the coming months we would please ask that you consider making an equivalent donation – this will go straight to the lifeline fund,” he said.
“We will process as many new requests as we can on a case by case basis using our normal instincts, criteria and charitable objectives to guide us.
“I also wish to reassure our existing beneficiaries that our support will continue.
“Events are changing at such a rapid pace our charity will, like the rest of society, have to react on an ongoing basis. However, I wish to reassure the trade that our resolve has redoubled. The Ben is your charity, and The Ben abides. We will get through this.”
