BYP Network sets up £10,000 coronavirus fund for black key workers

Fund launched to support key workers in the black community. BYP Network has established a £10,000 fund to help households with families who are risking their lives to work due to financial insecurities. 

This fund will primarily seek to support key workers in the black community who are immunocompromised, chronically ill, asthmatic, elderly, or posing a risk to others within their households. These households may include a member who works in a care home that has confirmed Covid-19 cases, a bus driver that is at risk from passengers or a nurse who is immunocompromised.

The fund was set up by BYP Network, after it has been claimed that key workers in the UK ‘have not been given adequate PPE, a pay rise or even the guarantee that funeral costs will be covered.’ 

Speaking on the issue, BYP Network said ‘This fund is being put in place because statistically black and minority ethnic people are disproportionately dying from COVID-19. BME in the UK make up just 13% of the population, but account for 35% of COVID-19 related deaths.’

The BYP Network fund is being raised for those who are UK-based, black or mixed persons of African or Caribbean descent, have one or more members of their household classed as ‘at risk’ or ‘vulnerable’, and are living in low-income households. BYP will provide two relief options: £250 to cover bills and food, or £500 to cover larger costs such as rent payments.

A platform that connects black professionals around the world to niche local and global communities, job opportunities, employer black networks and other black professionals, BYP is working to support the black community holistically.

Donations are welcomed to the fund here.