The Evening Standard’s Food For London Now appeal received a boost when artwork supporting the campaign was projected in Trafalgar Square.
A rainbow image was specially created by artist Sir Peter Blake and featured on the face of the National Gallery building with the slogan ‘London Stands Together’.
The paper has said that sales of prints of the poster have raised £100,000 for its appeal supporting The Felix Project to help deliver meals to the vulnerable living in London.
Last week the SoE reported that the Standard’s appeal – in conjunction with The Independent – has raised over £3.7m under the support of an array of famous faces including Phoebe Waller Bridge and Olivia Colman. The money raised has enabled The Felix Project to supply 40 tonnes of food a day to those in need.
The projected display to highlight the campaign and provide a visual boost to Londoners’ spirits was supported by the Mayor of London and approved by the National Gallery.
Justine Simons, London’s deputy mayor for culture, told the Standard: “We are so pleased to support the projection. It captures the defining message of this time — that Londoners stand together. It is a powerful expression of thanks to all the Londoners who have helped distribute food as part of the Food For London Now appeal.”
Speaking last week George Osborne, the Standard’s editor, told the SoE: “We have committed to raise £10M to ensure The Felix Project has the resources to help vulnerable Londoners over the next three years. We are proud, as a newspaper, to be highlighting this critical issue and to be playing our part.”
The Times hits £1m for coronavirus charity campaign
More than £1m has been raised by The Times readers for its coronavirus charity appeal to provide immediate assistance for those hit hardest by the pandemic.
The Times reported that readers had given £903,374 by the end of the weekend – when the figure was boosted by a £100,000 gift from an anonymous donor.
The publication had already broken its record of reader donations by May 1 when the paper had gathered over £776k in 27 days since the launch of the appeal.
Funds raised will be split between two charities which are receiving donations weekly, rather than monthly due to the urgency of the crisis.
The first recipient Family Action, which gives advice and emotional and financial support to those experiencing poverty and social isolation, has responded to the Covid-19 crisis by assisting with grocery supplies for struggling families and offering grants of up to £200 for home essentials and bills. The charity also runs a helpline for families affected by lockdown and a service for young people who grew up in care.
The Big Issue Foundation is the campaign’s second recipient and donations have supported sellers of the weekly magazine whose sales have been suspended during the lockdown for their own protection. Working to end poverty and exclusion for magazine vendors, the foundation has been assisting those being housed in hotels or temporary accommodation by the local authorities during the pandemic.
Donate to the Times Coronavirus Charity Appeal at thetimes.co.uk/timesappeal