Coronavirus: Martin Lewis pledges £1m to help small and local charities

Money-saving expert, Martin Lewis, has released £1m from his personal charity fund to provide grants to UK charities helping with the coronavirus pandemic.

Lewis will provide grants of £5,000 to £20,000 to small registered charities, or local arms of bigger charities across the UK, to help with specific UK coronavirus-related poverty relief projects.

He said examples could include foodbanks, charities engaged in community aid, financial advice help and more.

“My hope is to get the money distributed within the next couple of weeks, and I’m looking for projects that are set up and running, or are in the process of being set up – as we want to deliver help at speed.”

Applications close at 11.59pm on 25 March, but Lewis has said it will be extended in the ‘unlikely’ event that it doesn’t attract enough applications.

Grants will only be given to specific coronavirus-related projects.

“We face an unprecedented challenge to our health, economy, businesses, personal finance and way of life. And many of those who normally help society – our charities – are going to face similar pressures right now too,” he said.

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