It's time like these we need musicians and the music they create the most. But too many are worried about how they will pay the bills during this crisis.

That's why we started the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund. Providing small grants of £200 to provide urgent relief for musicians in genuine financial hardship. 

We have already helped 4,000 musicians but we know many MU members will struggle to get back to work this year while live venues remain closed.

We know it's a difficult time for everyone. But if you can, please donate. 

Your donations will go to Musicians' Union members who are facing genuine financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and its impact.

What musicians say

"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!"

"My livelihood has been wiped out. All my freelance tutoring in schools has been cancelled due to school closures and already I've lost all wedding gigs in April as a result of venues closing or couples postponing"

"My whole summer of festival gigs throughout Europe is looking to be cancelled. I employ 12 singers and we are all without work for the next four weeks so that's no income at all"

“I’m in the serious health condition category, so had to make a very very difficult decision to self isolate from the 16th. I’m 100% self employed. I’m already overdrawn as I had to make refunds to students who didn't want lessons online. I’m trying very hard to keep positive and have gone into proactive mode. I’m trying to think of innovative ways to do things online. But I don't know what's going to happen next"

Help us provide immediate support for musicians in real financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

• Musicians had lost more than £20m in earnings within the first month of the Covid-19 crisis in the UK
• Over 90% tell us their work has been affected 
• Job opportunities are down 70% on this time last year 
• Musicians don't qualify for the same support as other working people because they are self-employed

Find out more about the fund, application process, and criteria for support at theMU.org/hardshipfund

Please note, money donated via the #TimsTwitterListerningParty Broken Record Appeal will be split equally between the MU and PRS coronavirus hardship funds.