Coronavirus update: the latest news from West Midlands businesses

Birmingham-based charity LoveBrum has launched a new #OneBrum campaign to help raise  funds for local causes and unite the city, as it faces challenging times from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Replacing LoveBrum’s regular monthly rounds of funding for the time being, #OneBrum will target a number of local causes delivering specific COVID-19 related initiatives, as well as helping LoveBrum to continue its own work.

OneBrum has a simple premise; everyone in Birmingham is being asked to do just two things; donate £1 to support the work happening right now in Birmingham to support local communities, and do one thing locally to help – whether that’s phoning someone in isolation or completing a shopping drop to a vulnerable person.

Paul Mitchell, executive director at LoveBrum, explained: “Due to the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, we have decided to temporarily pause our usual funding rounds. This decision was not taken lightly, and these funds will remain ring-fenced for future funding once we are back up and running at full speed.

“We have already identified a handful of causes that #OneBrum will support initially, and we’ll also be organising a whole host of virtual events and activities to keep the city entertained and moving over the next few months.”

Construction firm Stepnell has provided University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in a bid to support key workers on the front line of the COVID-19 crisis.

The company’s Midlands office donated 30 pairs of brand new goggles and 15 FFP3 face masks to help protect medical staff working on the hospital’s acute medical unit.

Adrian Barnes, regional director at Stepnell, said: “We’re really happy that we have been able to support the NHS during this challenging period and hope that our contribution allows doctors and nurses to continue their amazing work.”

Stepnell says it is currently exploring a number of ways it can support key workers and industries across the UK by providing much needed services or resources.

Barnes added: “Supporting our country and complying with guidance from our government is now more important than ever during these unprecedented times and we want to do our bit to support Britain in making a full recovery from Coronavirus.”