The National Emergencies Trust has allocated nearly £2.5m to front line charities to help those most in need and this is just the start. To date almost £11m has been pledged to the Trust with the nation’s businesses and major charitable trusts stepping forward to help. A further allocation of funds will be made in the coming days. The money will be distributed through UK Community Foundations to 46 local community foundations across the country.

Lord Dannatt, Chairman of the National Emergencies Trust, said: “We are delighted that there is growing support for the Trust and that we have been able to start getting money out to organisations who can help people within a week of launching.

“But we need much more. That’s why we are calling on everyone, even at this unsettling time to dig deep and make a contribution. That generosity will ensure that we get through this unprecedented time with our most vulnerable communities cared for and supported.”

Rosemary Macdonald, Interim CEO of UK Community Foundations, said: “Never before have we had to pull together so quickly to support the most vulnerable in our society. Through our network of 46 community foundations, we have an in-depth understanding of local need and will ensure the generous donations support local groups to tackle this crisis.”

Anyone can make a donation at: www.nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk

Ways in which funds from the appeal will help people include:

Getting food to people who are isolated and in greatest need

Protecting our most vulnerable children while schools are closed

Helping people who have recently left hospital to recover at home

Supporting people with their mental wellbeing

Helping people who are struggling with debt.

Last week’s appeal was launched in partnership with the British Red Cross and with the support of the Duke of Cambridge and the Trust has received thousands of donations from the public, companies and charitable foundations.

The most significant contributions have come from the following:

Charitable trusts

The Sainsbury family has come together to contribute £3m, £1m each from three of the family’s charitable foundations, the Indigo Trust, The Three Guineas Trust and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation

Westminster Abbey

CHK Foundation

SC Catto Charitable Trust

CASE Foundation

Garfield Weston Foundation

Companies

Hewlett-Packard

Marks & Spencer

RBS

NatWest

Nationwide

BlackRock

Majedie Asset Management

Mulberry

Co-op

Iceland

The FA

M&G Investments

Quilter

REED

Bloom & Wild

Warehouse

Jayley.com

National Grid

ERDEM

Stream Marine Training

SchoolsTrader

Just a Splash

AI Corporation

Just Giving

GoFundMe

BigGive

Muslim Giving

VirginMoneyGiving

LaunchGood

Give Brite

Ramadan Giving

Paypal Giving

Crowdfunder

Among those backing the campaign are a number of Premier League stars who have launched #FootballUnited — a new initiative with the aim of raising £100,000 to help local communities through the National Emergencies Trust appeal.