COVID-19 has brought out the best in some brands that have stepped up to support the NHS, the vulnerable and frontline workers.

In this time of global crisis, up and down the country, businesses and individuals alike have been showing their support for those most in need as well as those serving on the frontline in the war against CV-19. We’ve witnessed the truly heroic individual efforts of Captain Tom, who by completing 100 laps of his garden to mark his 100th Birthday, has raised an astonishing amount for the NHS and the UK’s beleaguered charities (£28 million at the time of writing, and counting!). Celebrity chef and restauranteur Tom Kerridge along with others has been rustling up free meals for NHS workers and even Joe Wicks has helped save the sanity of under-pressure homebound parents through his kids’ online exercise routines – perfect for creating a little calm prior to a bout of home-schooling.

Here at Brandnation, we’re super proud of our own clients that have done and are doing their bit to spread a bit of happiness during these tough times. So a big shout-out to:

• Chi Chi London for offering £20 online credit to all NHS and front line workers.
• Starks Fitness for recognising the importance of physical fitness for mental well being during isolation. And for putting together FREE virtual training sessions for those working on the front line.
• Shoeaholics.com for a special extra 30% off for NHS workers via Blue Light Cards.
• Merrell for giving 50 pairs of shoes to NHS staff.

Many other brands have also been busy coming up with creative ways to help out in our time of need. Check out these other initiatives:

1) Thameslink and Southern Rail

Thameslink and Southern Rail have transformed their branding, to show their gratitude to NHS and frontline workers. Carriages now read ‘We Thank You’ to show their appreciation for the 200,000 key workers that they carry each week.

2) Soap and Glory

Soap and Glory are running an initiative to make sure everyone has access to proper hygiene products. They have partnered with the charity ‘The Hygiene Bank.’ The Hygiene Bank helps provide hygiene essentials to those that can’t easily afford them. Soap and Glory are hoping to give 15,000 products to the charity.

3) Boots Employees

Boots employees have gone above and beyond in light of the coronavirus. During the pandemic, many employees have had to delay retirement and/or retrain entirely. Boots launched a new COVID-19 drive-thru testing facility at its headquarters. Volunteers from Boots helped to set up the facility.

4) Oskia

The skincare brand, Oskia, are helping in the production of hand sanitiser to send to local care homes across the UK and Wales.

5) Unilever

Unilever has partnered up with UK Aid to donate £100m to help run a mass awareness campaign. The initiative is being carried out by bleach brand Domestos and soap range Lifebuoy, it aims to reach 1m people across the globe. The campaign will run across all forms of digital and traditional marketing around the world.

6) Burberry

British fashion brand, Burberry, have transformed their factory in Yorkshire to help support the NHS. Burberry will use its supply network to deliver 100,000 surgical masks. The fashion brand will support the NHS by creating non-surgical gowns and face masks for those patients within British hospitals. They have also contributed to funding research to discover a vaccine as well as donating to crucial charities that help tackle poverty.

7) Vogue

Anna Wintour has started an initiative to help support those within the fashion industry that have been negatively affected by the coronavirus. Vogue has created the fund “A Common Thread,” used to help start-up designers and retail workers to help pay bills during the crises.

8) Co-op

The supermarket and food retailer, Co-op, has been helping fight coronavirus in several ways. They have hired 5,000 extra workers to help support the increased demand. The 6,500 students at Co-op Academy Schools, who receive free school meals, are receiving vouchers for free food while schools remain closed.

9) HSBC

HSBC has donated £1m to the Nationals Emergency Trust Coronavirus Appeal and British Red Cross to help support vulnerable people affected by COVID-19. The National Emergency Trust is helping to raise funds for charities across the UK and is run by the British Red Cross.

10) Fullers

Pub and hotel chain, Fullers, have over 400 sites across the UK. During the crises, they have said that they will not collect or seek rental payments from the tenanted property.

If you enjoyed reading this article, then why not continue reading: “How to Refresh your Marketing Strategy”.