Tetley’s parent company – Tata Consumer Products – has given £150,000 to GroceryAid.
The sum will help make up a shortfall caused by the cancellation of the industry charity’s fundraising events because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The donation comes at a time when calls on its services are growing significantly as the wider impacts of social distancing, reduced economic circumstances and health worries hit those working within the grocery industry and their families.
Tata’s boss in the UK, Graeme Karavis, said: “We value our people and appreciate the contribution they are making to our own business and to helping others during this crisis and I am proud that we are able to provide this support to GroceryAid at a time when those working in the industry are most in need.”
“We are extremely grateful to the donations being made to us,” added Steve Barnes, Chief Executive of GroceryAid. “Tata Consumer Products’ generosity will be vital in helping us sustain support at a time when it is most needed in our trade. A prime example of this is usage of our Helpline which has accelerated since mid-March with a third of calls specifically about Covid-19 and 70% of all callers accessing immediate emotional support through our trained counsellors.”
Tata is also contributing to care packs for the one and a half million most vulnerable people in the UK and continuing to supply tea to frontline health and emergency staff and patients within the NHS.
There are a number of ways to support GroceryAid during the current crisis, either in the form of donations or by volunteering to support the charity. Find out more information at www.groceryaid.org.uk.
