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Ray Winstone Is Asking People To Donate Price Of A Pint To Those Struggling To Pay For Food And Rent During Pandemic

Ray Winstone Is Asking People To Donate Price Of A Pint To Those Struggling To Pay For Food And Rent During Pandemic

The 63-year-old actor started a crowdfunder to raise money for people experiencing financial difficulty in England due to the coronavirus

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Ray Winstone is asking people to donate the price of a pint or two to those struggling to pay for food during the coronavirus pandemic:

The 63-year-old has started a crowdfunder to raise money for people who are experiencing financial difficulty.

The Sweeney actor urged people to support the cause and went on to explain that 'one in 20 people have lost their jobs, most banks are not approving payment holidays or extending overdrafts and any government support is not enough or will take months to activate'.

Winstone said: "Fancy a pint down the pub? Sounds good, right? But we can't, can we? Now I'm not going to prattle on about unprecedented this and strange times that. When it comes down to it this country is facing a massive problem.

"What are we going to do about it? I tell you what, because you can't go out how about donating the cost of a couple of pints that you would've bought in the pub anyway to the corona crisis fund?"

"That tenner those two pints would've cost you could help to buy someone's groceries for a week, pay their utility bills and even help them to pay their rent."

Tragically there have also been over 1.5 million people who have had to go a whole day without food since the lockdown was implemented.

Winstone has teamed up with his daughter Lois Winstone and acclaimed creative director Tia Grazette to start the crowdfunder.

A statement from the group read: "The British people need help now and fast. Everyone is fundraising for the NHS which is incredible and of course much needed but what about the everyday person that has been left with no money or income due to the Covid-19 pandemic and can not even afford to pay their household bills or buy groceries?

Ray Winstone with wife Elaine Winstone (right) and daughters Lois Winstone (left) and Ellie Rae Winstone.
PA

"We all wanted to do something to try to help those who need financial help now to pay for food, household bills or rent - the essentials.

"So this fund will give out small grants to anyone and everyone that needs help paying for groceries, utility bills or rent. People will be able to apply for financial assistance over our socials and via email.

"If 100,000 people donate between £5-20 the cost of a pint (or couple of drinks they would have bought in the pub) - that's £1 million to help those in need."

The release went on: "We have until Tuesday 28th April to initially raise as much as possible. And then will extend the crowdfunder and probably keep it going until we hit our target.

"If we gain enough momentum behind this we will also register it as a charity and continue to help anyone in financial difficulty."

To donate to the cause, click here.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, Coronavirus