UP TO £300M will be used to support the most vulnerable in communities across the UK during the coronavirus crisis, thanks to National Lottery players.

On average, £30 million pounds is raised every week by the National Lottery, providing the perfect opportunity to support those helping to tackle coronavirus.

Hundreds of millions of pounds will be distributed to charities and local voluntary organisations over the next few months to help support people through the COVID-19 crisis - from helping support food banks, to causes that combat loneliness and isolation, support for the elderly and projects that support health in the community.

The initiative will ensure that National Lottery funding is able to be deployed at scale to help projects in what is the UK’s biggest non-governmental contribution to the efforts in local communities to combat coronavirus.

CEO of Camelot and operator of The National Lottery, Nigel Railton said: "Week in week out, National Lottery players make a huge difference to the lives of people and communities across the UK.

"Now, more than ever, The National Lottery can play a critical role in supporting our communities as we all face this challenge together. Up to £300m raised by National Lottery players will be helping to fund vital work in local communities at a time when it’s needed the most."

National Lottery players are encouraged to play, whether that be with a ticket, through the National Lottery app or on the website: national-lottery.co.uk