Agents Giving has recognised that the level of fundraising may decrease this year but is urging the industry to replace this with local good deeds.

The charity told EYE that it is hopeful its annual Agents Giving Day foodbank collection event on 18 June for the Trussell Trust can still go ahead but is urging firms to continue donating goods in the meantime.

A spokesman said: “Agents Giving is concerned about the impact of coronavirus on agency fundraising, as the whole industry works to keep their businesses going fundraising may not be top of their list at this current time.

“We will see traditional fundraising replaced by more localised good deeds and acts of kindness.

“Whether this be helping support the food bank effort or signing up to volunteer for Age UK or the NHS GoodSam scheme there are many ways to help.”

Agents Giving has launched a a campaign called Industry Acts of Kindness to encourage firms to share work that is being done to support local communities amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The spokesman added: “Foodbanks need support right now more than ever and we encourage agents to give any items they may have no matter how small to their local food bank.

“If we feel we can go ahead with a national food bank drive for Agents Giving Day in June we will, however the support they need isn’t just for one day as we run our food bank support drive all year round and now it’s needed more than ever.

“Agents Giving Day is a set day every year for agents to do something great on that day and add some fun into the mix by seeing how many items of food can be collected by our industry to highlight the food banks needs.”

Find your local food bank and see what items they require:

https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/