Common Good Fund to donate £100k to Covid-19 hardship fund
06 May 2020
Members of the Urgent Business Committee today (Wednesday 06 May) agreed that £100,000 from the Common Good Fund should be donated to the Aberdeen Covid-19 Emergency Hardship Fund.
It followed a motion put forward by Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Jenny Laing, which was approved unanimously by the committee.
The emergency COVID-19 Hardship Fund was launched on (Friday 01 May) by The Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust in Aberdeen in partnership with The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council.
The aim of the Hardship Fund is to raise much-needed cash for Aberdeen-based registered charities to help individuals, families and communities across the city experiencing severe financial hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: “Providing support to communities and the most vulnerable people within them has been at the heart of how Aberdeen City Council has responded to coronavirus since the lockdown started on 24 March.
“Today’s agreement by this Council to donate £100,000 from the Common Good Fund to the Aberdeen Covid-19 Emergency Appeal, will enable registered charities in the city access crucial financial support to help individuals, families and communities in desperate need as a result of the coronavirus.
“By working together, we can ensure that those in need get the support they urgently require during these extraordinary times.”
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett, on behalf of the Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust said: “When the Common Good Fund was created 700 years ago in 1319, it was for the purpose of using it to benefit the people and communities in Aberdeen. Today’s announcement by Aberdeen City Council to donate £100,000 from the Common Good Fund to go to this special Covid-19 Hardship Fund, is a wonderful excellent example of why the Common Good Fund exists.
“Launched only last week the Covid-19 Hardship Fund got off to a flying start but I would urge businesses, associations and private individuals to support this appeal and donate whatever they can now. Together we can make a difference.”
Mervyn Donald, Deacon Convenor, The Seven Incorporated Trades said: “The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen has always been very community orientated, so when the opportunity arose to help the citizens of Aberdeen who may be struggling during this crisis, we thought this was a great chance to continue supporting the community.
“We have recently been working with Aberdeen City Council on various projects however this is our first ever joint venture, so we are breaking new ground with this partnership with the Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust to help Aberdeen through COVID-19.
“This fund will help the disadvantaged and needy, during what is a difficult time for us all. We have had a great response to the campaign so far and hope to continue to raise funds for those suffering.”
A special crowdfunding page has been created on www.aberdeencovid19.org to allow anyone anywhere to donate to this worthy cause.
100% of all donations received will go directly to helping those experiencing genuine hardship in Aberdeen due to COVID-19.
Since the launch of the Crowdfunding page last week, £51,105 has been raised as of 2pm on Wednesday 06 May.
To apply to the Hardship Fund, registered charities must complete an application form hosted on www.aberdeencovid19.org
The Lord Provost’s Charitable Trust is a fund independent of the city council, set up to support registered Scottish charities operating within the City of Aberdeen.
The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen was founded in 1587 by the coming together of the seven craft trades consisting of Hammermen, Bakers, Wrights & Coopers, Tailors, Shoemakers, Weavers, and Fleshers. Today, based in the Trinity Hall Building in Holburn Street, their mission is a historically grounded commitment to skills, people development and education, the care and wellbeing of its members and their dependents, and raise and disburse funds for the advancement of young persons living in the Aberdeen community. They also maintain and provide access to the historical artefacts of the trade crafts of Aberdeen. The Trades Widows’ Fund Charity is their primary charitable entity.
ENDS