As part of BGL's 'Empower, Pledge, Donate' campaign, the financial services business has been offering funding to charities and good causes experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the pandemic. To date, the group has helped over 107 charities or community groups in the UK or abroad.

The Charlie Gard Foundation was set up by parents Connie and Chris, who tragically lost their son Charlie in 2017, just one 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 was established in Charlie’s memory and works to support families and individuals affected by mitochondrial disease while also investing in pioneering research into this group of diseases.

The donation from BGL is set to 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 at 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.”

A fresh round of funding opened on July 1. Charities and community groups wishing to apply should email csr@bglgroup.co.uk for a form.