The Rainy Day Trust has issued appeals to the housewares and home enhancement industry. The charity is asking how businesses are coping during the coronavirus pandemic, and highlighting how it is helping. It is also asking for vital donations – of whatever size – during unprecedented demand for its services, and as fundraising events have been cancelled.
“Looking after people who are struggling through tough times is what we are here to do. It is why we exist,” states ceo Bryan Clover.
The charity’s help to the housewares industry includes: free debt advice, legal advice and free telephone counselling (helpful during self-isolation), a Covid-19 fast-grant for those on lower salaries in addition to is support.
Bryan makes this appeal:
“The Rainy Day Trust has been providing vital support to people from the home improvement industry for 177 years. In that time, the challenges facing us have been wide and varied, but Covid-19 is something else. For the first time in many generations, the very survival of so many businesses is in doubt, and in turn that means that hundreds of thousands of their staff members are at risk of losing their jobs. We have adapted quickly and effectively to the rapidly-changing character of the virus, and are delivering the help that is needed so badly.
For those people in our industries that are on part-time or zero hours contracts, the impact is even more severe. Government assistance has been set up but it only covers 80% of the original salary for those that have been furloughed. That still leaves a gaping hole for many.
Businesses can work alongside us to minimize the impact on staff, allowing us to help HR teams through an incredibly difficult time. Our debt, housing and legal advice services can be wrapped around your people. The telephone counselling can help to alleviate stress and anxiety brought on by self-isolation. The financial assistance can – and does – keep food on the table. It has become that simple now.
All of this help can be accessed by either visiting our website www.rainydaytrust.org.uk/get-help or by calling 0203 192 0486. We are here to help you and your staff.
But we cannot do this alone. Unprecedented demand for our services is putting our finances under incredible strain. We understand fully that your businesses are struggling under these same pressures, uncertain of what the future may bring. But we desperately need your help to continue our work. Any donation, no matter how small will help – all of the events that we had planned or were involved in for the first 6 months of 2020 have been cancelled and that has meant that our income has dropped rapidly. If you or your business are able to make a donation, we would be incredibly grateful. And remember, all corporate donations can be offset against corporation tax.
Please help to keep our services running at this difficult time. We are the ONLY charity dedicated to helping the home improvement industry. Your charity helping your people. Covid-19 is affecting everyone, no-one is immune from its impact. We will recognise all donations to this emergency appeal – let your customers and partners know that you support us.”
