Margaret Lomas began the not-for-profit Adopt-a-Shop around a month ago.

"It involves someone who's in a business that's not overly impacted just helping a business that is impacted through lockdown," she said.

"We're getting a bit of exposure in and around Sydney, but it would be great for us to be able to expand ... we love Bathurst and we'd love to help out."

IN BUSINESS NEWS AROUND BATHURST:

The seed was planted when Mrs Lomas saw a friend's tweet on Twitter encouraging anyone who can support one of their small local businesses to do so.

Being a successful business woman for 25 years, Mrs Lomas said the idea grew into a business plan and, after three weeks, Adopt-a-Shop helped save 19 businesses.

"We're up to, as of today, $60,616 worth of help provided," she said.

"We're working in the foreseeable future at this stage in order to get the benefactors on board.

"I say to my benefactors 'here's the businesses and here's how much they need each week for the next four weeks'.

"So the smallest one, I think, has been $250, the highest one we've had someone supporting to the tune of about $2500 a week for four weeks.

"I definitely need more kinds of those businesses."

The generosity of everyone who has jumped on board so far has amazed Mrs Lomas, especially because none of them are large corporations.

"Interestingly enough, the businesses who have applied to give help are all businesses that aren't that far ahead of the businesses who need the help," she said.

Mrs Lomas encourages any businesses in the Central West who either need help or can offer help to register their interest on her website, adoptashop.net.