The National Lottery will donate almost £45m ($56.3m) to support communities most vulnerable to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

The National Lottery Community Fund announced it will be working with five partners for the distribution of the £45m.

The vulnerable communities supported by the funds will include BAME and other communities experiencing health inequalities and people experiencing homelessness.

Barrow Cadbury Trust COVID-19 Support Fund and Homeless Link will both be receiving £5m of the fund.

The COVID-19 Social Enterprise Support Fund Partnership will receive almost £20m to provide grants to social enterprise organisations that help local communities.

Dawn Austwick, CEO of the National Lottery Community Fund, said: “These partnerships will extend the reach of National Lottery funding at a time when communities need it most.

“They are each experts in their field, which is why we’re delighted to be working alongside them.

“Their local knowledge, dedication and network of contacts will be critical in supporting the distribution of much needed funding at a critical time for communities.

“We’re grateful to them for working with us so closely and of course to National Lottery players for making this emergency response possible.”