THOUSANDS of pounds will be distributed to North-East charities and organisations to help them survive during the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Emergencies Trust (NET), which raises and donates money from the public to grassroots charities and communities in times of crisis, has partnered with community foundations across the country to distribute The Covid-19 Fund, set up to support these organisations through this period of uncertainty.

County Durham Community Foundation has been awarded £100,000 from the NET fundraiser, as well as raising more than £122,000 through its own crowd funder appeal.

About £80,000-worth of grants have been made by the Foundation in one week to 15 groups, and it is still considering further applications for up to £5,000 per cause.

The first community project to receive emergency funding is Red Hall Partnership, based a Darlington community centre. It has launched a "meals on wheels" project to support the isolated and vulnerable through the pandemic.

The partnership has built a base in Red Hall Primary School, which remains open for children of key workers and has transformed its kitchens from making school dinners to cooking for those on the Red Hall estate who have been forced to self-isolate. School staff will deliver the food, along with essentials like bread and milk, to those in need.

Sarah-Jayne Small, secretary for the partnership, said that the service has already gained interest.

She said: “Staff are going to knock, put the delivery down, then go back to the gate to check the resident gets their parcel.

“One woman saw what we were doing on Facebook and asked if we would support her mum, who lives alone.

“When coronavirus arrived, the Foundation got in touch and encouraged us to apply. It’s been amazing to be part of this – just fantastic.”

The partnership was awarded £3,740 to deliver homemade food to 60 local residents.

Michelle Cooper, chief executive of the Foundation, said: “We absolutely knew that community groups like Red Hall Partnership would spring into action if only they had the means to do so, which is why we started our own emergency fund."