The Grand National has been laid low by Coronavirus - but with ECHO readers’ help it could provide a vital lifeline for those in need across Merseyside.
The National - the most famous horse race in the world - was due to take place on Saturday, April 4, but has been cancelled because of the pandemic.
Today the ECHO is asking everyone who planned to have a bet on the race to give the money to community organisations which will lead the fightback against the virus.
As announced by the ECHO this week, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has launched a new crowdfunding campaign to raise £1million to support community and voluntary organisations on the frontline of helping communities cope with the impact of Coronavirus.
The LCR Cares COVID-19 Community Fund was kickstarted with an initial £200,000 donation from Rotheram’s Combined Authority with a further £50,000 coming from the National Emergencies Trust.
The fund, set up in partnership with the Community Foundation for Merseyside, a registered charity, will award grants to support community organisations providing vital services like:
Foodbanks
Delivery of food and care to vulnerable people
Telephone and online services offering friendship and support to reduce isolation and provide emotional and mental health support
Echo editor-in-chief Ali Machray said: "Steve’s initiative is a brilliant and much-needed one. And I think this can give it a huge boost.
"The idea of donating your Grand National bet to help beat this virus is an amazing piece of thinking by Echo reader Luke Schanche. Well done him for coming up with it.
"An astonishing £300m was wagered on last year’s race. A slice of that going to community groups will make a huge difference to the people of Merseyside who need it most.
"Every year I ask my wife, two kids and my father-in-law to pick a winner then I then stick a fiver on the nose for each of them.
"This year that £25 will be going to LCR Cares.
"That money will help our frontline heroes - please join me and make a difference."
Metro Mayor Rotheram said: “We’re known in this region for our generosity, big hearts and community solidarity.
“I’d love it if punters who were going to have a bet on the Grand National would instead support a very worthwhile cause helping the community heroes who are on the frontline fighting coronavirus right here in our City Region.
“You’ll be helping organisations keeping services like foodbanks, care for vulnerable people and those who are isolated and need emotional and mental health support, to keep going. This year, please do what can to support these crucial groups. Thanks very much for your support.”
Announcing the cancellation of the festival, The Jockey Club said it was no longer appropriate to stage the event after the UK government advised against mass gatherings.
It added that running the race behind closed doors at Aintree was not a viable consideration.
"Public health must come first," said Sandy Dudgeon, senior steward of The Jockey Club.‘’These are exceptional times and this is the responsible thing to do."
Aintree’s big race is the envy of racecourses across the globe and attracts a worldwide audience of about 500m people.
Tiger Roll, who won the race in 2018 and 2019, was favourite for an unprecedented third consecutive victory.
Metro Mayor Rotheram has worked with the leaders of the City Region’s six local authorities to set up the LCRCares COVID-19 Community Support Fund.
He added: “I know many people and businesses are already suffering hardship and need our help. But if everyone who can afford to, can give a little, we can make a huge impact for our communities as we come together to tackle this unprecedented crisis.”
As well as setting up LCR Cares, the Combined Authority is working closely with key partners through the formal Local Resilience Forum on a wide range of measures to tackle the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis.
Details on how to donate are on the Combined Authority’s website.
Search “LCRCares” or visit www.lcrcares.co.uk
And the initial donations of £250,000 means the fund is open for applications now.
Community organisations can apply grant by visiting: www.cfmerseyside.org.uk
The fund is administered by The Community Foundation for Merseyside, a registered charity, which, over the past 20 years has distributed over £40m to grassroots community groups and charities across the Liverpool City Region. It has a strong track record, expert team and long-held reputation for ensuring funding is provided to the most vulnerable.
