Coronavirus business round-up: Latest news across the North West
More than 30 North West creative, marketing and digital agencies have teamed up to raise money during the COVID-19 crisis by running a marathon between each business in one day, Thursday May 7.
Spearheaded by Oli Hopkinson, joint founder of digital marketing agency, Bind, and supported by the Agency Leaders Network, the initiative hopes to raise £10,000 which will be split between Forever Manchester and the Manchester University NHS Trust – £5,000 is the target for the agency group’s Just Giving page, which will be matched by the Hoppy Trust to make up the full amount.
Forever Manchester is helping the city’s most vulnerable during the COVID-19 outbreak with food banks, mental health initiatives and check-ins for older people or anyone who needs a helping hand.
The money raised for the Manchester University NHS Trust will be used to buy tablets for patients to speak to loved ones, as during the crisis hospital visits have been banned, so the value of a video call during this time cannot be measured and will give comfort to many affected families.
Each agency will assemble a team which will run the marathon between them in a relay-style race on the same day. Progress will be tracked and proven using a running app and all participants will have to submit their times and distance with a screen shot.
Oliver said: “The effects of lockdown are being felt far and wide. We wanted to launch an initiative to support those in greatest need of help and to encourage folks to reach out to one another.
“As a proud Mancunian, Forever Manchester is a charity close to my heart and the Hoppy Trust is doing some amazing work to support those directly affected by this terrible illness, including raising money for the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
“We’d love for more agencies and businesses to get involved and make this initiative even bigger. Join us. Be a force for good for those who may be struggling with lockdown and compete in our race.
“If you don’t want to run, donate money via our Just Giving page, or donate an old tablet to the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. If any business leaders would like to submit a team and get running, they can contact me via agencyleadersnetwork@gmail.com
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Manchester-based investment platform AJ Bell has donated £30,000 to local foodbanks in Manchester and London through FareShare and Salford CVS as the first initiative of its Wage War on COVID campaign.
It launched the AJ Bell Wage War on COVID Fund at the beginning of April under the umbrella of the AJ Bell Trust, a UK-registered charity.
Staff have donated all or part of their wages for April, May and June to the fund and further donations have been made by customers, financial advisers, the AJ Bell Trust and members of the public.
More than £150,000 has been raised so far in the first month. All funds raised will go directly to charities or other causes supporting people affected by COVID-19.
AJ Bell donates to FareShare
Chief executive Andy Bell said: “The support we’ve had for our Wage War on COVID fund from staff, customers, advisers and the public has been fantastic and quite humbling.
“It really highlights the community spirit we are seeing every day right across the country and gives huge encouragement that we will come through this crisis stronger and more resilient than ever. We are now focused on finding great causes to benefit from the fund and foodbanks have been selected as the first initiative.”
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Specialist Leigh-based electroplating and metal coating company, Karas Plating, is working around the clock to deliver components for the NHS front line.
It has converted part of the production at its plant to produce special nickel-plated air nuts and silver-plated electrical connectors to help deliver essential materials used amid the current COVID-19 outbreak.
The specialist air nuts will be used in the production of emergency ventilators for the NHS and the silver-plated electrical connectors will be used in fitting out the specially-constructed Nightingale hospitals across the UK.
Karas production line
Karas, which has been tasked with producing 30,000 air nuts, is currently working 24 hours a day, six days a week, to ensure it delivers the essential components as quickly as possible.
Andrew Ashcroft, managing director, said: “Our committed team have really stepped up to the challenge and we are working hard to deliver the parts as swiftly as possible. As we are still providing parts for other essential industries, such as food production and energy firms, our teams are working around the clock to ensure every order is fulfilled.”
He added: “We see this as our small contribution to the important work our healthcare professionals are doing on the front-line every day. I am proud that our dedicated staff have been able to help drive this initiative forward at such a critical time.”
Production of the vital parts started three weeks ago and the aim is to have the order fulfilled by June. Contingency plans are also in place to extend production for as long as there is an acute need for the specialist components.
