A new fundraiser has been launched, allowing people to buy virtual drinks as a donation to independent venues which have been severely hit by the spread of coronavirus.
In a bid to support Music Venue Trust and independent venues which have been forced to postpone shows, the new crowdfunding campaign allows supporters to pledge the price of a range of alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages.
While the cheapest drinks start at Β£2.00, those that spendΒ upwards of Β£20 – a round of virtual drinks – will be entered into a draw to win prizes such as gig tickets, festival tickets, bar tabs and studio time for bands.
50% of the total proceeds will go to Music Venue Trust, and the other 50% will be split between a number of small and independent venues.
Supporting the campaign, The LibertinesΒ wrote: “Everyone deserves a little drinky now and then. This is an amazing way to help local and independent issues.”
Lots of independent venues, pubs and the such are at risk of closure at the moment due to the pandemic.. if you've got a few quid spare this month consider donating to them by buying a #VirtualPint! https://t.co/ttJXbr8sQo
— Reverend&TheMakers (@Reverend_Makers) March 19, 2020
π΄ππππ’πππ ππππππππ π ππππππ ππππππ’ πππ πππ ππππ. ππππ ππ ππ ππππ£πππ π ππ’ ππ ππππ πππππ πππ πππππππππππ ππππππ. π ππππ https://t.co/0ejvJowFVD πππ ππππ ππππ π‘#VirtualPint pic.twitter.com/lsFhHr1qwq
— Libertines (@libertines) March 19, 2020
Earlier this week, the Music Venue Trust also called on the UK government to cancel the Festival Of Britain and use the funding to secure the future of Britainβs grassroots culture amid the coronavirusΒ crisis.
βWhat weβve asked is for them to cancel the Festival Of Britain 2022, for which there is already a Β£122 million culture budget allocated,β Trust CEO Mark Davyd told NME.
βWe want them to take that money and put it into a cultural infrastructure hardship relief fund. That money is sufficient to support venues during a temporary period of closure.