The Fundraising Regulator has updated its Covid-19 guidance and is calling on charities to “fundraise safely” in light of the surge in the Omicron variant.
After recent changes to Covid-19 restrictions around the UK the Fundraising Regulator and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF) updated their document and urged charities to ensure that fundraising events are in line with current government guidance.
The rules are different in England, Scotland and Wales, but include the reintroduction of mandatory face coverings on public transport and Covid passports for large gatherings. The public have also been advised to scale back social gatherings in order to slow the spread of the new variant.
The guidance reminds charities that fundraising events should only occur once a risk assessment has been carried out, and that organisations “must consider the public appetite for interacting with people outside of their household at this time”.
Charities should also consider “the public mood and likely feelings and preferences of supporters” when considering if physical events should go ahead.
Charities cancel fundraisers
Yesterday the UK reported the highest number of daily infections of Covid-19 since the pandemic began, and a number of charities have begun cancelling planned in-person events.
Age UK Wakefield cancelled its in-person Time for Tea event this morning. The charity's statement said: “With increases in Covid-19 cases, we want to protect the most vulnerable members of our community & think a public gathering is not appropriate at this time.”
We’re sorry to announce the cancellation of today’s Time for Tea event.
— Age UK Wakefield (@AgeUKWakefield) December 16, 2021
With increases in COVID-19 cases, we want to protect the most vulnerable members of our community & think a public gathering is not appropriate at this time.
Apologies for the the short notice
Best Wishes pic.twitter.com/k2oIKG6DkK
Similarly, the Battersea Ball, a fundraiser which raises money for the charity the Battersea Crime Prevention Panel, cancelled the event after the government announced Plan B restrictions. For the second year in a row, the fundraiser has been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
It is with a great regret that we have had to cancel this year’s event - we are incredibly grateful to @SmartHosp for all their support and we are just sorry to all who were looking forward to it #community #battersea #charity @BCPP2 @BseaBss
— Battersea Ball (@BatterseaBall) December 13, 2021
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