Charities Given Extra £2.2m Funding For A Happier Christmas

SIX much-loved charities across Britain are unwrapping an extra £2.2 million in funding this Christmas, thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery.

Trussell, Mind, Hospice UK, Young Lives vs Cancer, RSPCA and Scottish SPCA are already supported by Postcode Lottery players.

And this December they've raised even more to help deliver a happier Christmas for those most in need, bringing the funding total for all six charities in 2024 to £7 million.

The surprise news was delivered to the organisations in person by People's Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson.

Trussell, Hospice UK, Mind, and Young Lives vs Cancer have all been awarded a £500,000 Christmas boost, on top of the £500,000 they each received earlier this year.

Emma Revie, CEO at Trussell - which supports food banks across the UK - said: "We are deeply grateful for this incredibly generous support from players of People's Postcode Lottery. Winter is often the busiest time for food banks, and we expect this year to be just as challenging.

"This additional £500,000 will make a huge difference to supporting people with emergency food, a warm welcome and cup of tea, and also taking a step closer to ending the need for food banks for good."

Catherine Bosworth, Director of Income Generation and Grants at Hospice UK, said: "We are so grateful to the players of People's Postcode Lottery.

"It's a difficult time for many hospices at the moment, and to have their support up and down the country means the world.

"Hospice staff across the UK will be working tirelessly to give the peace and support to families who need it most this Christmas."

Young Lives vs Cancer helps children, young people and their families affected by the disease.

Chief Executive Rachel Kirby-Rider said: "This winter, children and young people with cancer, and their families, will be travelling miles from home to get to hospital for treatment. Our social workers are there to help them navigate the financial and emotional impacts of cancer, which don't stop at Christmas, and our Homes from Home help keep families together. This award from players will make such a big difference to those we're here to support."

Andrew Berrie, Head of Corporate Partnerships at mental health charity Mind, explained: "We are so grateful to the players of People's Postcode Lottery for their continued support.

"This funding will help us to be there for the people who need us most through our vital services such as Mind's Infoline, legal line, support line and our online peer support community Side by Side. It will also allow us to support our local Minds to deliver mental health projects and services in the community."

Good news has also been delivered to animal charities RSPCA and Scottish SPCA this Christmas.

They've been awarded an extra £100,000 each in December to add to the £400,000 they both received earlier in 2024.

Hannah Blucher, RSPCA Finsbury Park Vet Nursing Lead, said: "We just couldn't believe it when Matt surprised us, it was an amazing moment, the best Christmas ever. When most people are enjoying the festivities at home with their families, our hospital teams and volunteers will be working to save animals' lives.

"Worryingly, we've seen an almost 10% increase in animal neglect reports during the first half of 2024, so this funding couldn't have come at a better time. We are so grateful."

Scottish SPCA's Jennie Macdonald, Head of Rehoming, Fostering and Community Engagement, added: "The support we have received this year thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery has been immense and we were absolutely blown away by this surprise funding. It will help us reach animals and people in crisis across Scotland who need us now more than ever."

People's Postcode Lottery was created to raise long-term funding for charities and good causes. Since its launch in 2005, players have raised more than £1.4 billion.

Clara Govier, Managing Director of People's Postcode Lottery, said: "At this time of year, the money raised by our players is needed even more, and this extra £2.2 million in funding will help six of our beloved charities spread some Christmas cheer.

"Thank you to everyone who plays People's Postcode Lottery and for giving others a happier Christmas."

Watch the emotional moment charities receive news of their Christmas funding in the video below.

Making A Difference

People's Postcode Lottery players are helping deserving causes like Hospice UK, Mind, RSPCA, Scottish SPCA, Trussell, and Young Lives vs Cancer, make a difference every single day. Read more about the range of Charities our players support.

Related Links

• Hospice UK website
• People's Postcode Lottery and Hospice UK
• Mind website
• People's Postcode Lottery and Mind
• RSPCA website
• People's Postcode Lottery and RSPCA
• Scottish SPCA website
• People's Postcode Lottery and Scottish SPCA
• Trussell website
• People's Postcode Lottery and Trussell
• Young Lives vs Cancer website
• People's Postcode Lottery and Young Lives vs Cancer