Thousands of children and their families will experience significant levels of poverty as a result of the Coronavirus. Whilst the situation is changing daily at present, the full-scale of the impact of Covid-19 is yet to be fully quantified.

What is certain however is that families already at breaking point will struggle to put food on their tables, ensure they can heat and light their homes and meet their essential needs.

As families stay in behind closed doors, we are sadly also anticipating an increase in domestic abuse.

Aberlour is calling on our supporters and members of the public to give what they can to our Urgent Assistance Fund so that children and families most in need during these unprecedented times can be assisted.

The Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund makes cash payments to those most in need to help them with urgent and emergency needs. We expect significant demand for money to pay for food, household essentials, toiletries, power cards and emergency clothing where a parent must flee domestic violence.

£50 feeds a family of 4 for a week

£15 provides electricity for a week

£10 provides gas for a week.

SallyAnn Kelly, Aberlour Chief Executive said: Demand from our Urgent Assistance Fund before Coronavirus struck was already at an unprecedented level. More than £57,000 has been given out so far this financial year and we expect this to climb sharply in the coming months.

Covid-19 is now causing severe disruption to normal everyday life; jobs are already being cut and other businesses will take some time to recover. The result is that the people worst affected will be those on low incomes. Many people unable to work because they have contracted the virus will receive statutory sick pay; however, this is usually less than their normal wages and seldom sufficient to pay for all expenses a typical family may face.

We have an opportunity to come together as a nation to demonstrate our care and compassion for those who are really struggling right now. Please take that opportunity by donating to the Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund so that children, young people and families don't suffer as a result of coronavirus.

How Aberlour's Urgent Assistance Fund helped Sarah and her baby

Shortly after Sarah's baby was born, both became unwell and were rushed to intensive care for a week. After recovering, they were due to be discharged when it became apparent that Sarah had very little income and no support from family. That meant after paying her household bills and baby essentials, there wasn't enough money left to buy warm clothing.

Aberlour's Urgent Assistance Fund came to the rescue for Sarah and her baby. It provided Sarah with a sum of money to enable her to have food for her cupboards and freezer, warm clothes for her and her baby to minimise any repeat visits to hospital, and money for her gas and electricity meters.