Two Ferrovial companies in the UK, Amey and Ferrovial Construction, have secured £270,000 of funds for the country’s largest foodbank charity, the Trussell Trust, it announced today.
The donation has been secured through an emergency Covid-19 relief fund set up by the parent company, Ferrovial, which has so far donated more than £6.5m to charities and organisations around the world.
Known globally as the Ferrovial Together COVID-19 fund, Ferrovial’s initiative has so far given over £900,000 to UK charities alone, including the Lighthouse Club Construction Charity, SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity and the Trussell Trust.
In April, the Trussell Trust was identified as a charity at the front line of the fight against coronavirus by Ferrovial’s social value teams in the UK and they were put forward for a donation. 12 foodbanks across the UK have so far benefitted, with the money going towards food and support for vulnerable people in the local community.
Among them is South Liverpool Foodbank, which last month received a donation nearing £20,000. John Sumner, Chair of Trustees for South Liverpool Foodbank, commented:
“In March-April 2020 South Liverpool Foodbank provided food to 2295 people, including 816 children. Compared to the same period last year we are seeing a higher proportion of families struggling. Causes of crisis include the sudden loss of income from self-employment or zero hours contracts, delays in receiving the vouchers that replace free school meals and parents needing to self-isolate to protect their families.
“Initially panic-buying in supermarkets led to a big drop in donations; although stock levels are rising again we also expect to see increasing numbers of people needing our services given the record numbers of people registered unemployed and applying for Universal Credit. The generous donation from the Ferrovial Together Covid-19 fund will support the purchase of food and toiletries, as well as distribution and other practical expenses.
“In normal times we’re able to chat with clients face to face and signpost them to a wide range of additional support, from who to contact for advice with fuel debt, to local mums and tots groups, to local befriending services for pensioners. At the moment we are talking by phone to many clients each week and offering advice where we can, but we’d like to do more, and the donation enabled by Amey and Ferrovial Construction will make this possible. We are very grateful for their donation, which comes to us with support from Amey, long-term supporters of South Liverpool and other Trussell Trust foodbanks in the UK.”
Amanda Fisher, Chief Executive of Amey, added: “These charities have been working to help those most in need throughout this challenging time. I have been moved by stories of great kindness and generosity during this pandemic and so it feels right that we play our part in helping ensure vital funding reaches organisations who need it.”
Ferrovial set up the “Ferrovial Together COVID-19” fund with an initial endowment of £4.5m from the company. At the same time, it launched a drive to raise funds among employees, directors, shareholders, contractors, suppliers and anyone wishing to make a donation. The company will double any contributions up to a total contribution of £9m. To date, the “Ferrovial Together COVID-19” fund has raised £7.8m through contributions by Ferrovial and third parties.