Crowdfunder for Coronavirus Hardship Fund More Than Triples in Under Two Days

Since opening, our Crowdfunder to raise more money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund is fast gaining momentum – growing from £1,865 on the evening of Tuesday 24 March to almost £6000.

Published: 26 March 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:30 PM

The purpose of the fund is to provide immediate support for musicians in real financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus crisis, with small grants of £200 to provide urgent relief.

Within two hours of launching the fund, we had received more than two hundred applications – and that number has been growing ever since. With this pace in mind, we expect our £1M fund to run out by the end of the first week.

After numerous generous offers from members of the public who wished to contribute to keep the fund running, we launched a crowdfunder – which has taken off.

Whilst we continue to call on Government to put in proper measures to protect freelancers, every donation will have an urgent impact on MU members who are facing genuine financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Are you able to provide immediate support for musicians in real financial hardship? Join our crowdfunding effort.

Feedback from our members

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far we’ve received lovely messages from members, letting us know how their hardship grant has offered them some relief.

Here are just a few:

"I've just received an email saying my application was successful and I'll be receiving the money. Can I just say to everyone at the Musicians' Union, thank you. I could cry knowing that I've been given a bit of help. Thank you so much!" - anon

“Massive thank you to @WeAreTheMU for providing me with £200 through the Coronavirus Hardship Fund. It’s not a lot, but it’s the most I’ve been granted as self-employed musician with no work" – Lucy on Twitter

“Big thanks to @WeAreTheMU for enabling me to pay rent this month if you're in a bind and your dues are paid up, it's worth a look." - Wilsoni via Twitter

“Me too!! Thank you for helping us @WeAreTheMU it’s good to see how much musicians have supported each other over the last week. Makes me part of a much bigger family.” – Kate via Twitter

If you’re facing urgent financial hardship

We’ve listed more sources of financial assistance, as well as guidance on Government benefits on our Financial Support page.

This includes our own hardship fund, as well as the new funds launched by Help Musicians and PRS for Music.

See all news

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes accident cover, health schemes, travel insurance and car insurance add-ons through the Musicians’ Union.