Peterborough based BGL group donates to charity helping those impacted by pandemic

BGL, a leading digital distributor of insurance and household financial services, is supporting the Charlie Gard Foundation as part of a £1.5 million campaign to help charities impacted by the pandemic.

The Charlie Gard Foundation was set up by parents Connie and Chris who tragically lost their son Charlie in July 2017, just a week before his first birthday.

Charlie suffered from mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome and touched the hearts of millions around the world when his ongoing care became the subject of a best interests case.

The foundation, established in Charlie’s memory, supports families and individuals affected by mitochondrial disease and invests in pioneering research into this group of diseases.

The cash boost from BGL will help the charity with three separate fundraising projects - providing two specialist hydrotherapy pools, an accessible garden for one family and to fund further treatment.

Stephanie Roundsmith, Head of Communications and Fundraising, the Charlie Gard Foundation, said: “Like many charities, coronavirus has affected our fundraising, but because the children we support have life-limiting conditions, we still need to get things done for them as soon as possible. That’s why grants like the one from BGL are most welcome.”

BGL’s Empower, Pledge, Donate campaign offers funding to charities and good causes experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the pandemic. To date, it has helped more than 107 charities or community groups in the UK and abroad.

With more than 11 million customers, BGL is home to brands including comparethemarket.com, Budget Insurance, Dial Direct and Beagle Street. It employs more than 3,000 people across its five sites in Peterborough, Sunderland, Wakefield, London and Paris.

A fresh round of funding opened on July 1. Charities and community groups wishing to apply should email [email protected] for a form.