In light of the Coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, fashion brands around the world have pulled together to provide support and relief through donations and supplies. Now the British Fashion Council has launched a special Covid Crisis Fund to aid creative businesses and individuals in the UK that have been most affected by the pandemic.
The BFC has made £1 million of emergency funds available through its charity the BFC Foundation, which brings together all BFC charitable initiatives under one umbrella. The majority of the funds will go towards helping designer businesses that are currently struggling, while a portion will also be reserved for fashion students to help ensure the safety of their future careers. The money has been made available by pooling a number of talent grants, including the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund and the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund.
While £1 million may sound like a generous figure, the BFC have stressed that this is only a starting point and that the overall scale of the need will be much greater. They have called on the government to help them raise further funds, as well as appealing to individuals to donate to the cause.
“Now more than ever, we are committed to support the businesses and people that make up our industry,” said the BFC’s chief executive Caroline Rush in a statement. “With the BFC Foundation Covid Crisis Fund and the donations raised, our hope is to support those British businesses that need additional subsidies, beyond Government stimulus available, to address their most urgent challenges.”
Applications for funding from the new BFC Foundation Covid Crisis Fund will open within the next week, with applications closing on 10 April. Visit their website for more information on how to apply or donate.
britishfashioncouncil.co.uk
