After lockdown measures finally lifted in the UK this year, many charities felt as if things were looking up again – only to be hit with rising inflation, a cost-of-living crisis and war in Ukraine. This has made support from other sectors all the more important.
Civil Society News comprised a list of charities that have Christmas partnerships this year, including those with media and supermarket chains.
Supermarkets
John Lewis and Waitrose partner with Action for Children and Who Cares? Scotland
The retailer launched its charity appeal with the release of its long-awaited Christmas advert, which shows a clumsy foster parent practising his skateboarding ability.
The ad is in partnership with Action for Children and care home charity Who Cares? Scotland and is part of its Building Fairer Futures fund.
Co-op and Your Local Pantry
Co-op has partnered with Your Local Pantry, a membership-based community hub and food scheme this Christmas.
The partnership is funded by Co-op's membership programme which sees 2p in every pound split between the Local Community Fund and the Community Partnerships Fund.
Indeed, it "switched off" its standard Christmas ad focused in favour of an advert showing the partnership.
Media
The Guardian and Observer work with Locality and Citizens Advice
The Guardian and Observer’s charity appeal focuses on the cost-of-living crisis this year. Last year, it opted for funding climate change charities.
Partnering with Citizens Advice and Localilty, donations through its web page will fund local grassroots projects like food and warm banks. In five days, the campaign has already raised £200,000.
Donations will be processed by Charities Trust who will deduct 3.75% of all funds raised.
Comic Relief partner with The Independent and Evening Standard
The Independent and Evening Standard are working with Comic Relief and The Childhood Trust on its On The Breadline Christmas appeal.
Coming when inflation is at a 40-year-high, the campaign will get funds to people suffering during the cost-of-living crisis. A donation of £10 could help feed a family of three for a week while £20 could help buy a winter kit for a family that contains warm clothes.
Samir Patel, the chief executive of Comic Relief, said: “This winter is going to be frighteningly tough for people up and down the country as the cost-of-living crisis pushes millions to breaking point. Millions face going hungry and without basic necessities, and pressure is mounting from all angles. As this national emergency intensifies, people need our help now.
“We are hugely grateful for this opportunity with the Evening Standard and The Independent to launch a cost of living appeal and raise urgent funds this winter. From supporting foodbanks to providing warm clothing and energy top up cards, this campaign will deliver a lifeline and ease the pressure for people facing the toughest times of their lives.”
Magic Breakfast partner with The Times and The Sunday Times
The Times and The Sunday Times have selected Magic Breakfast, the charity that provides healthy school breakfasts to school children, as its Christmas charity partner.
From now until January The Times and The Sunday Times readers will be invited to donate to Magic Breakfast. The donations will be match funded by the media outlets.
Lindsey MacDonald, chief executive of Magic Breakfast, said “We are so thrilled to have been chosen by The Times and The Sunday Times for this year’s prestigious Christmas Appeal. This is a critical moment, with the cost of living crisis plunging ever-increasing numbers of children and young people into food insecurity. Millions of children in the UK are now at risk of starting their school day hungry, something that has been proven to be a significant barrier to learning.”
The Telegraph partners with four charities for Christmas
The Telegraph’s Christmas charity appeal is in partnership with four charities this year: Macmillan Cancer Support, Action for Children, Age UK and the Royal British Legion Industries.
These charities have been chosen because of the challenging economic climate which is impacting children and armed forces veterans. As well as this, they have chosen Age UK and Macmillan as both those suffering from cancer and old age have been impacted by the growing backlog caused by the pandemic.
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