Industry charity GroceryAid has launched a Covid-19 Fund to provide support for grocery colleagues during the coronavirus pandemic.

The charity has raised £1.5m for the fund to ensure support will reach people throughout the grocery channel who need it.

“Amid the huge challenge of Covid-19, our trade has done a great job of keeping the nation fed. GroceryAid has raised a special Covid-19 fund to help our industry colleagues at this time of need,” said Charles Wilson, GroceryAid president.

“The 24/7 Helpline will deal with concerns and assist with financial stress caused by this terrible virus.”

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Stev Barnes, CEO at GroceryAid added: “Our industry has been tested like never before and colleagues have risen to the challenge. We are proud that this fund enables us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who now need help as a direct consequence of Covid-19.”

The launch of the fund follows a Covid-19 Hardship Fund launched by the NFRN at the start of April. The federation is raising money to specifically assist independent retailers who are struggling during the pandemic.

Find out more on our coronavirus information hub for retailers