Celebrating Charities

Aim of charity
We provide memory boxes filled with keepsakes and mementos to help families create lasting memories of their loved one. We also provide useful tools, equipment, and training free of charge to hospital units, hospices, and other professionals who work with grieving families.

Reason for nominating this charity
Losing a child is an unimaginable heartbreak. In those moments, parents often have no time to prepare—no time to think, and sometimes not even the chance to return home for the essentials they need after birth. A stillbirth is not only the loss of a baby; it’s the loss of a future, a life-changing moment that shatters plans for joy and hope. 4Louis steps in during this devastating time with something profoundly meaningful: small, thoughtful items that help families create lasting memories when they leave the hospital with empty arms and heavy hearts. These tokens may seem simple, but they offer comfort, dignity, and a way to hold on to love when everything else feels lost. By choosing 4Louis, you’re giving families the gift of remembrance—a lifeline of compassion when they need it most.

Aim of charity
Animal Welfare: The charity is dedicated to the care and rehoming of stray and unwanted dogs, ensuring they receive medical attention, shelter, and a chance at a better life.
Safe Rehoming: Acres Way works to match each dog with a suitable, loving home, prioritizing long-term welfare and compatibility.
Community Support: They engage with the public through fundraising, volunteering, and education to promote responsible pet ownership and awareness of animal welfare issues

Reason for nominating this charity
I would like to nominate this charity because it is a dedicated, family-run organisation that relies heavily on donations to care for and support numerous dogs who have been mistreated, abandoned, or neglected. Their tireless efforts provide these animals with safety, rehabilitation, and the chance to find loving forever homes

Aim of charity
Action for Carers Surrey is a registered charity, helping unpaid carers of all ages, right across Surrey, with information, support and advice. AFCS exist to help Surrey’s unpaid carers, aged 5-99, giving advice, support, information, and a little time out, to help people feel more in control of their lives and less alone

Reason for nominating this charity
They have helped my wife and I (along with many other families) navigate the process to get an EHCP for our son who has autism and ADHD. They are also continually there as a support to call upon with an issues we face with schooling and getting the most suitable help and assistance for our child.

Aim of charity
Our mission is to improve the lives of all people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today, while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.

Reason for nominating this charity
I was diagnosed with ME in 2015 so the cause is close to my heart!

Aim of charity
Age UK Bristol stands to support those over 55 in Bristol. Specifically, they want Bristol to be a city where everyone in later life:
• Has enough money
• Enjoys life and feels well
• Receives high-quality health and care
• Feels comfortable, safe and secure at home
• Participates in their local community

Reason for nominating this charity
Age UK Bristol is a small, local branch and is independent of the more well known Age UK. Consequently, securing funding, critical to support the local community, can be a difficult task. Despite that, Age UK Bristol has a team of hard working employees and volunteers dedicated to the cause, who work tirelessly around Bristol in order to see that crucial support is provided. The work performed by the team here is beneficial both to individuals who need support, engagement, and camaraderie, whilst also benefitting local government and the NHS

Aim of charity
Since its founding in 1981, AGPD – the Association of Parents and Individuals with Down Syndrome – has been committed to promoting full social, educational, and professional inclusion for people with Down syndrome. Through tailored programs and advocacy, AGPD empowers individuals to develop autonomy while driving cultural change toward a more inclusive society.

Reason for nominating this charity
In 2017, DUAL Italia welcomed its first colleague with Down syndrome, followed by a second in 2020. Today, Giulia and Andrea are thriving members of our team, and this achievement is largely thanks to AGPD’s invaluable support. Their expert guidance throughout recruitment, onboarding, and integration—including dedicated tutoring—was essential not only for successful inclusion but also for fostering a truly inclusive culture within our organization. Over the years, DUAL and AGPD have launched numerous awareness initiatives, such as the Dive In Festival, inspiring other companies to embrace similar paths toward inclusion.

Aim of charity
Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity, dedicated to causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure.

Reason for nominating this charity
The research that Alzheimer's Research UK is vital to making sure that families can either provide loved ones with more dignity, time, and or the opportunity to never see someone loose the spark that makes them, them. As someone who has seen loved ones deteriorate due to this disease, it's really important to me that we remove this cruel illness from society.

Aim of charity
The mission of the American Cancer Society is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

Reason for nominating this charity
Everyone can be affected by Cancer, including our friends, family and colleagues. The American Cancer Society is more than a charity. It is a lifeline for a lot of people. I’m nominating ACS because of its commitment to saving lives, supporting families, and funding research in the fight against cancer. Whether it is helping patients navigate treatment, providing accommodation near hospitals for families, or investing in innovative treatments, ACS is always looking for ways to help people. Voting for ACS is the most impactful way to help people with cancer and make the rest of their lives a little less painful.

Aim of charity
Angat Buhay aims to empower Filipinos by mobilizing the largest volunteer network in the Philippines that will implement poverty alleviation programs, projects, and activities to empower Filipinos in marginalized and farthest flung communities.
The Need
Angat Buhay needs continuous support from individuals, groups, and organizations that share the same passion to support volunteer movements, alleviate poverty, and uplift lives of marginalized communities in the Philippines.
The Solution
Angat Buhay implements holistic, replicable, and sustainable development efforts to increase access to quality public education, protect health and nutrition, support disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts, and enable community engagement and empowerment.
Our Impact
Angat Buhay’s interventions are meant to be stepping stones instead of crutches for marginalized Filipinos to have a better chance in breaking the cycle of poverty.


Reason for nominating this charity
Angat Buhay are a charity dear to my heart as they play a major role in uplifting impoverished communities in the Philippines, they also provide disaster relief to affected communities. They also aid children to provide access to education to help break the cycle of poverty.

Aim of charity
We train animals to save lives. APOPO addresses global issues through research, development, and deployment of scent detection technology at its training and research center in Tanzania and several other countries.

Reason for nominating this charity
Apopo does amazing work clearing landmines with the help of their hero rats. The rats have such a great sense of smell they can smell the landmine underground and are light enough not to trigger them. They are faster at clearing minefields as a result and much cheaper than traditional methods. They also train rats to smell out tuberculosis in Tanzania and Ethiopia, have screened 1,023,468 samples and stopped 338,946 potential TB infections, increasing clinic detection rates by 48%. They also work to stop illegal animal trades. The rats are trained to sniff out 5 commonly trafficked wildlife products, including Pangolin scales , Elephant Ivory, Rhinoceros Horn , Giraffe hide and hair and African Blackwood.

Aim of charity
At ARC our mission is to provide psychological, emotional, practical and educational support to people with cancer and those who care for them, through a warm, welcoming and client centred approach and to ensure that everyone in Ireland is aware of, and able to access these services. Our three Centres are open for drop in and for Counselling, Acupuncture, Reflexology, and Manual Lymph Drainage appointments.
Remote services include a telephone support service and remote counselling. We also have a range of online classes, talks and programmes for people with cancer and their families running on a regular basis. These include weekly stress management, relaxation, mindfulness and yoga classes via Zoom.

Reason for nominating this charity
Howden Ireland support ARC.

Aim of charity
To provide specialist palliative and end of life care for those in need and to work in partnership with others to ensure that everyone in North Derbyshire has access to appropriate, high quality and sustainable palliative care.


Reason for nominating this charity
I am nominating Ashgate Hospice Care because this charity holds a deeply personal place in my heart. My Nana spent her final days there at the beginning of 2025, and the care, compassion, and dignity the staff showed her, and our whole family was extraordinary. They created a calm and comforting environment during the hardest time of our lives. I truly don’t think I would have got through that period without their kindness and support.

Ashgate Hospice provides specialist end-of-life care to people across North Derbyshire, but it now faces serious funding challenges. Despite the vital role it plays in the community, NHS funding only covers around half of the hospice’s costs. Without fair and sustainable funding, the hospice has warned that it may be forced to reduce inpatient beds and reshape essential support services.

These services are more than just medical care, they give families strength, dignity, and peace when it matters most. The staff and volunteers go above and beyond to ensure every person is treated with humanity and compassion. Losing or limiting this support would have a devastating impact on so many families in our area who rely on Ashgate’s help during their most difficult moments.

A donation from the Howden Foundation would make a real difference in helping Ashgate continue its life changing work and ensure other families receive the same care and comfort mine did. Supporting this hospice is not only an act of gratitude for what they have given, but also an investment in kindness, community, and humanity at a time when it’s needed most.

In memory of my Nana and in support of everyone who needs Ashgate Hospice in the future, I’m proud to nominate this incredible charity.

Aim of charity
The Asociación Nacional Amigos de los Animales (ANAA) has as its principal aim the protection and defence of animals, promoting their welfare through responsible adoption, social awareness, and education in respect for all forms of life. Since its founding, ANAA has worked to combat animal abandonment and mistreatment by providing veterinary care, rehabilitation, and the search for suitable homes for rescued animals. Furthermore, it collaborates with public and private institutions to promote policies that ensure a dignified life for animals and raise awareness in society about the importance of ethical and responsible coexistence.

Reason for nominating this charity
The Asociación Nacional Amigos de los Animales (ANAA) is a highly deserving candidate due to its outstanding commitment to animal welfare in Spain. Since its establishment, ANAA has rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed thousands of abandoned and mistreated animals, providing them with expert veterinary care and placing them in responsible, loving homes. The organisation also runs educational programmes aimed at fostering respect for all living beings and raising public awareness about responsible pet ownership and the fight against animal cruelty. A donation of this magnitude would enable ANAA to expand its shelter capacity, enhance its facilities, and continue impactful outreach campaigns that create lasting change within the community. Supporting ANAA means investing in a compassionate, urgent, and transformative cause.

Aim of charity
Established in 1986, the Association to Benefit Children (ABC) is dedicated to ensuring each child a safe, happy, and healthy childhood and a bright, promising future. To secure these rights for all children, ABC addresses the complex needs of seriously at-risk children living in poverty by intervening as early as possible and supporting them throughout childhood. Comprehensive services are wrapped around each child and every family member, empowering and enabling families so that their children grow and thrive. With programs in early childhood education for at-risk infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers, supportive housing, health and mental health services, crisis intervention, family support and preservation, year-round youth development, and an open door to the community, ABC is a refuge for low-income families.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am deeply honoured to nominate the Association to Benefit Children (ABC) for this award. This organization holds a very special place in my heart because of its unwavering commitment to giving every child the opportunity to grow up healthy, loved, and full of hope.

What sets ABC apart is the way it transforms compassion into action. Every day, it stands beside families facing unimaginable challenges—offering early childhood education, mental health support, housing assistance, and so much more. ABC doesn’t just provide services; it builds relationships, restores dignity, and creates a true sense of community.

The impact of their work can be seen in every child’s smile and every family that finds stability after hardship. From the earliest days of life through critical developmental years, ABC ensures that no child is forgotten and that every family has a chance to thrive. Their programs reflect the simple yet profound belief that every child deserves joy, safety, and opportunity—and they make that belief real through action, compassion, and unwavering dedication.

I’ve seen first-hand how ABC’s approach changes lives. They meet families where they are, with open arms and without judgment. They turn despair into resilience, and fear into hope. Their work ripples outward—strengthening not just the children and families they serve, but the entire community.

Everyone should vote for ABC because they embody what it truly means to care. Their work is a testament to kindness, equity, and the power of collective humanity. Supporting ABC means investing in a brighter, fairer future for us all.

Aim of charity
Associazione DIESIS promotes initiatives that strengthen personal autonomy, unlock potential, and enhance interpersonal skills for adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum, enabling their effective integration into school, work, and society. Through training and orientation programs, workplace tutoring, and personalized counselling, DIESIS empowers individuals with autism to thrive both personally and professionally.

Reason for nominating this charity
DUAL Italia began its partnership with Ass. DIESIS in 2024, as we embarked on the journey of hiring a colleague on the autism spectrum. Matteo joined our team in April 2024, and since then, Ass. DIESIS has played a pivotal role in ensuring his successful integration into our workplace. Thanks to their expertise, Matteo benefits from dedicated tutoring and tailored counselling, supporting his growth and inclusion. Together with Ass. DIESIS, we also spotlighted the importance of neurodiversity in the workforce during the Dive In Festival, aiming to inspire other companies to embrace inclusive hiring practices.

Aim of charity
AVSI has been implementing development and humanitarian aid projects since 1972, reaching over 4 million people in 41 countries in the past year. AVSI implements cooperation projects in various sectors with a preferential focus on education, meaning that the person is accompanied towards self-discovery and recognition that the other person is a resource. Each project is conceived as an instrument to promote this awareness in everyone involved, has in itself a need for communicating and sharing, and creates an impact capable of generating positive change for good.

Reason for nominating this charity
AVSI respect two of our brand truths, they are a force for good with a “people first” approach. In fact, AVSI works for a world where the person, aware of their value and dignity, is the protagonist of their own integral development and that of their community, even in crisis and emergency contexts. They implement cooperation projects in various sectors with a preferential focus on education, meaning that the person is accompanied towards self-discovery and recognition that the other person is a resource. Each project is conceived as an instrument to promote this awareness in everyone involved, has a need for communicating and sharing, and creates an impact capable of generating a positive change. In Italy, we support AVSI project in Kampala (Uganda) since 2013. The relationship with AVSI has developed over the years mainly to support educational projects in the Luigi Giussani schools and the hospitality provided by the Welcoming House in Kampala. The opportunity to receive a quality education is the greatest gift we can give to children, and it is also the essential foundation for the human, cultural, and economic development of a country. The results achieved by AVSI demonstrate how much value can be created within these communities.

Aim of charity
Su misión es ayudar a niños huérfanos o abandonados en situaciones críticas. Colaboran además con toda la comunidad a través de numerosos proyectos (colegios, clínicas, campo de deportes). Cuentan con 2 orfanatos, un colegio de infantil y primaria, uno de secundaria, un colegio para niños con discapacidad visual, una clínica, un campo de deportes, un centro de arte y en 2025 han inaugurado una nueva clínica, un centro de formación profesional y un colegio para niños con discapacidad intelectual.

Their mission is to help orphaned or abandoned children in critical situations. They also collaborate with the entire community through numerous projects (schools, clinics, sports fields). They have two orphanages, a primary school, a secondary school, a school for children with visual impairments, a clinic, a sports field, an arts center, and in 2025 they opened a new clinic, a vocational training center, and a school for children with intellectual disabilities.

Reason for nominating this charity
Esta organización realiza una labor extraordinaria ayudando a miles de personas cada año. Su alcance es amplio a nivel local y sus programas tienen un impacto directo en comunidades vulnerables, ofreciendo apoyo esencial en áreas como salud, educación, inclusión social o asistencia humanitaria. Con recursos limitados, han logrado resultados impresionantes, y una donación como la que ofrece la Howden Foundation les permitiría ampliar su capacidad de acción, llegar a más personas y consolidar proyectos que están cambiando vidas.
Creo firmemente que apoyar esta causa es una oportunidad para multiplicar el impacto positivo que ya están generando. Con ayuda, pueden seguir creciendo y ayudando a mucha más gente. This organization does extraordinary work, helping thousands of people every year. Its reach is broad locally, and its programs have a direct impact on vulnerable communities, offering essential support in areas such as health, education, social inclusion, and humanitarian aid.

With limited resources, they have achieved impressive results, and a donation like the one offered by the Howden Foundation would allow them to expand their capacity, reach more people, and strengthen projects that are changing lives. I firmly believe that supporting this cause is an opportunity to multiply the positive impact they are already generating. With help, they can continue to grow and help many more people.

Aim of charity
Battersea offer love and expert care to dogs and cats who need them by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals at their centres, and by sharing their knowledge and resources with rescue organisations around the world. They do this because they want to help every dog and cat, everywhere.

"At Battersea they take the time to get to know the needs of every dog and cat that walks through our doors so we can give them the love and expert care they deserve.

Our work goes beyond our three centres. It’s why we share our knowledge, provide training and grant funding to animal rescue partners around the world, offer online pet advice and training to anyone who needs it, and campaign to improve the lives of dogs, cats, and their owners.
However they need us and wherever they are, we're all in, for them."

Reason for nominating this charity
I have decided to nominate Battersea Dogs and Cats Home because I am sure that even if you don't have a dog or a cat yourself, most people out there are a fan of one or the other, or both! Battersea Dogs and Cats Home rescues, reunites, rehabilitates, and rehomes stray, abandoned, or unwanted dogs and cats. They provide expert veterinary care, rehabilitation, and tailored support, and if a lost animal isn't claimed, they work to find it a new home. Their work also extends to sharing knowledge with other rescue partners globally and campaigning to improve animal welfare. I am sure that no pet owners or animal lovers would want to see anything bad come to any of the animals they know and love, but if the worst were to happen, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home would be there to offer their love, support and services to as many animals as they can.

Aim of charity
Cash for Kids supports children and young people who are living in poverty, are disabled, or face disadvantage across the UK. Their aim is simple, to make sure no child goes without essentials, comfort, or a bit of joy. They provide direct grants and fund local projects to help families who need it most.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 2 colleagues
Cash for Kids is an incredible charity that makes a real difference in our local communities. Their team works tirelessly to support children and families in need, ensuring that every pound raised stays local and delivers where it matters most. From providing basic necessities to creating opportunities many of us take for granted, their impact is both immediate and life-changing. We’ve built strong relationships with their staff and seen their dedication first-hand—whether through ongoing collaboration or initiatives like Mission Christmas. They are a charity that genuinely cares, and their relentless commitment to helping vulnerable families is inspiring.

Aim of charity
Beatson Cancer Charity exists to enhance the experience, treatment, outcomes and wellbeing of current and former cancer patients and their families or carers. We achieve this by delivering non-clinical services and funding enhancements in cancer treatment, care and research in partnership with the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre

Reason for nominating this charity
We have worked closely with this charity for years and now over the last few years, it has an even more special meaning to me as one of my close friends and my uncle have both had to use the charity as they have been going through cancer. We have experienced first hand the amazing service, compassion and just going above and beyond during one of the toughest times as a family we had to face.

Aim of charity
Nationally, only 46% of youth in foster care graduate high school and 3% graduate college. For children in foster care, educational achievement is the greatest counterweight to the negative effects of abuse and neglect. BFF removes many barriers and offers the guidance and advisement needed for educational success. Our programs ensure students have the same tools and support afforded to children in traditional homes. Through one-on-one attention and the following strategies, high school graduation is within reach for every foster care youth in our program.

Reason for nominating this charity
I grew up in Boca Raton, Florida where the charity is located and have been involved in fundraising efforts and volunteering over the last 10+ years.

Aim of charity
Bipolar UK is the only national charity dedicated to empowering individuals and families affected by bipolar. Peer support is at the core of our work. We empower approximately 1,000 people a month to stay well - and we have the ambition to reach thousands more.

Reason for nominating this charity
Bipolar doesn't just affect the person who is diagnosed, it affects the whole family. Growing up in that reality was incredibly difficult. There are times full of chaos, fear and confusion. There are days where the person you love feels like they are disappearing inside an illness neither of you can control. Supporting this charity means supporting real people who are living through something most never see close up. It means giving families hope, stability, and understanding when life can feel impossible. Please vote for this charity, because families like mine don't need judgement, we need support.

Aim of charity
We aim to make things better for the children at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, their families and the staff who treat them by providing additional facilities, equipment and research and by creating a caring environment for all who use the Hospital. Imagine you are 5 years old and going into hospital tomorrow. Hospital is bewildering, scary and unsettling for anyone - but especially for children. That is why Birmingham Children's Hospital is a fundraising hospital. Whether its £5 to fund some crayons and colouring books whilst waiting for test results, or £42,000 for a life saving machine that operates as a mechanical heart. Charitable donations are key to making us what we are: a centre of paediatric excellence that the whole United Kingdom depends upon.

Reason for nominating this charity
This charity is amazing - the difference they make to the lives of sick children and their families is phenomenal. Every penny raised goes towards funding for medical equipment, schooling, research, renovations, outdoor play areas and much more.

Aim of charity
Black Dog Institute is about better mental health for all. As a global leader in mental health research and the only one in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, we provide services, programs and products to achieve better mental health for all Australians. Through science, compassion and action, we know the power of better.

Reason for nominating this charity
I like the work the Black Dog Institute does towards helping people, especially youth with mental health issues.

Aim of charity
Food Angel is a food rescue and assistance program in Hong Kong dedicated to reducing food waste and alleviating hunger among underprivileged communities. By collecting surplus food from suppliers and redistributing it as nutritious meals, Food Angel ensures that vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, low-income families, and those in need, receive essential support while promoting sustainability.

Reason for nominating this charity
Food Angel plays a vital role in supporting both people and the environment. By rescuing surplus food and turning it into nutritious meals, they help those in need while reducing food waste. In Hong Kong, where 1.3 million people live below the poverty line out of a population of 7.5 million, their work addresses urgent issues of income disparity and food insecurity.
Starting in 2011 with just providing 20 meal boxes, Food Angel has grown to provide around 40,000 meals today. Beyond food distribution, they create community centres (canteen) for elderly individuals to reconnect with the community, reducing isolation and fostering social interaction. During COVID-19, they introduced vending machines for 24/7 meal access, offering flexibility and dignity to those in need.
From a small team of 3 to nearly 200 staff members, Food Angel has evolved into a charity that not only feeds people but also restores hope and community ties. Supporting them means helping thousands access daily meals and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Aim of charity

To increase the UK investment in research into brain tumours. One in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour. This disease is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, to date, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this. A powerful campaigning organisation, Brain Tumour Research is the leading voice of the brain tumour community. Unique and much needed, we are the only national charity focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours. We are campaigning to increase the national investment in research into brain tumours to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.

Reason for nominating this charity
A colleague in Howden Bury St Edmunds recently lost her baby due a brain tumour. Please find Jacobs Story here - https://www.justgiving.com/team/jacobfoulds?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

Aim of charity
1 in 4 Australians aged 16 years and over have experienced child sexual abuse. This heart-breaking reality drives Bravehearts’ mission: to prevent child sexual abuse and support those affected to heal. For more than 25 years, they have been dedicated to creating a world where children are safe, families are supported, and communities are empowered to protect their most vulnerable. Their work is built on three pillars: Educate, Empower, and Protect. Through nationally recognised education programs, Bravehearts teaches children vital personal safety skills, while equipping parents, carers, and professionals with the tools to recognise, respond to, and prevent harm. They also lead powerful national awareness campaigns that challenge stigma and ignite conversation. Their recent campaign on grooming shone a light on the tactics used by offenders to manipulate, isolate, and silence children. By helping adults understand these warning signs, Bravehearts empowers communities to intervene early and stop abuse before it happens. For those who have experienced child sexual abuse, Bravehearts provides specialist counselling, crisis support, and therapeutic services, walking alongside survivors and their families on the path to healing. As advocates, they partner with governments, schools, businesses, and communities to strengthen policies, influence systemic change, and keep child protection on the national agenda. At Bravehearts, their vision is simple but profound: a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities stand together to protect future generations.

Reason for nominating this charity
I've chosen to support Bravehearts because of the vital work they do in protecting children from sexual abuse and supporting survivors and their families. Their mission to create a safer environment for children deeply resonates with me, as every child deserves to grow up free from harm and fear.

Aim of charity
To accelerate life changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and it's complications, while also improving the daily lives of those living with the disease. This is achieved by funding research, advocating for favourable policies, improving access to care, and providing resources and support to the T1D community.

Reason for nominating this charity
Breakthrough T1D is a wonderful charity that sincerely supports those with Type 1 Diabetes. Several of which are diagnosed in early childhood and is a life changing diagnosis, with several life-threatening measures to be educated and aware of throughout your life as a T1D. Type 1 is different from type 2 because it's an autoimmune response in which your pancreas stops working and is unrelated to lifestyle and diet and cannot be reversed. My daughter was diagnosed at 4 years old recently and was brought into the ER with glucose levels of around 750, which is extremely high and was on the verge of DKA. As her parents we were devastated and had no idea what hurtles were ahead of her living a normal childhood, along with care management. We were given several rounds of training by professionals on how to best support our daughter and manage before she was released from the ER, and thanks to JDRF (Breakthrough T1D) my daughters medical team really helped us advocate for her in school, sports, and around the clock care management and the resources we needed for her to be not only treated like any other child in the care of others; but how to prepare her independence and live an easier life. There are now several 24/7 CGMs that give live updates for your glucose readings, and insulin pumps to eliminate several injections a day as there once was, therefore making T1D easier to manage. It has been 2 years since she was diagnosed and has navigated several challenges, and also several accomplishments. We are so proud of her, she is one outgoing little warrior! This year 2025 she has also been elected as a MN ambassador for Breakthrough to support others and inspire other kids as well, like her living with T1D. Although this illness is invisible to most who don't live with it, it is a very scary illness to manage every day to ensure you stay alive and have the proper resources and education to manage it. Even that medical equipment that is vital for survival of T1D and is very expensive so me and my daughter have vowed to continue to raise awareness and support Breakthrough T1D so we can fight to find CURE and help those who really need it to find the resources they need and get the proper medical care in order to continue managing T1D successfully so they can enjoy their everyday lives.

Aim of charity
We're Breast Cancer Now. We’re here to change the lives of people affected by breast cancer. How? By combining the power of research and support. Our world-class researchers are working in labs across the UK and Ireland to create a world where the words "breast cancer" aren't met with fear. We're building a brighter future for everyone affected by breast cancer. And because over 600,000 people are living with or beyond the disease, we’re here with support for today, too. Our helpline, health information, and support services are here for you and your loved ones. Every step of the way. We’re the place to turn for anything and everything to do with breast cancer. Whatever you’re going through. Whoever you are. We’re here.

Reason for nominating this charity
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 at just 26 years old. I went through multiple surgeries and endured six months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. During that process, I lost my hair, fingernails, and, in many ways, my identity as a woman. As a young woman, I struggled mentally with this transition, and Breast Cancer Now was vital in providing me with support—I don’t think I could have got through it without their volunteers.

They offered telephone counselling and funded a full weekend in London with experts and specialists to learn about breast cancer. They provided multiple resources such as wellbeing sessions and even make-up tutorials, including how to draw on eyebrows. They also gave lots of organic freebies and, most importantly, created a space for me to connect with others going through treatment so I didn’t feel alone during the loneliest time in my life.

Since then, I have raised money for this amazing charity by skydiving and bungee jumping. They have always supported me, no matter how far post-treatment I am, and I want to continue raising funds for this outstanding charity so they can keep helping women and conducting vital research to ensure more young women have a future. The charity relies on researchers, nurses, campaigners, volunteers, and fundraisers (all of whom need funding) so it’s crucial to raise as much money as possible.

Aim of charity
Epilepsy Action improves the lives of everyone affected by epilepsy.

Each year we help over 1 million people understand their epilepsy and treatment options, including through our helpline, and website. We improve healthcare by supporting our epilepsy specialist nurses and epilepsy research. And as the leading epilepsy charity, our voice is listened to, so we campaign for better care and fairer access to education and employment.

Over 95 per cent of this life-changing support is funded by donations and fundraising.

Aim of charity
Heart attacks that strike without warning, strokes that shatter futures, new born babies born with broken hearts. These are just some of the cruelties of cardiovascular disease. And the brutal reality is, there is so much more for science to discover before we can beat the world’s biggest killers. That’s why British Heart Foundation exists. Funding research is how we change the game. And we all have a role to play. The tools we have at our disposal today - from heart transplants and pacemakers to stents and portable defibrillators - are all down to research. Research made possible by people like you. When we join forces, we can make the impossible possible. We can take the best and brightest ideas from scientists’ minds and help turn them into treatments you can get at your GP. We can make theories on pages jump into reality. Our research can save your life and your family’s lives.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 3 colleagues
This charity has had a profound impact on several of our lives and families. In February 2023, one colleague sadly lost their dad to sudden heart failure. Since then, the British Heart Foundation has been incredibly supportive. Last year, a charity football day was organised in his memory, raising just over £5,600—a moment of pride for everyone involved.

Another colleague shared how the charity played a vital role in their own journey after surviving a sudden cardiac arrest. With survival rates outside hospital as low as 3–10%, CPR is crucial. The British Heart Foundation is instrumental in providing CPR training, guidance on using defibrillators, and campaigning for more defibrillators in communities.

A third colleague highlighted their personal experience of loss and recovery: their grandad sadly passed away due to a heart condition, and earlier this year their dad underwent a quadruple heart bypass. Experiencing both situations so close to home reinforced how vital heart research, treatment, and support services are. Supporting the British Heart Foundation is their way of honouring their grandad’s memory and showing gratitude for the care that helped their dad through such a major operation. Beyond education and support, the British Heart Foundation drives scientific research and life-saving advancements that improve outcomes for people with heart conditions. They offer access to cardiac nurses, online resources, and continue to fund ground-breaking studies that make a real difference.

Aim of charity
Jamaica Red Cross staff and volunteers, who come from the very communities they serve, have taken early, life-saving action to help support people.
Before the hurricane hit, they had been proactively supporting communities by mobilising 400 volunteers, pre-positioning emergency supplies,
preparing shelters for people at risk, and distributed 750 blankets, 250 cleaning kits, 250 hygiene kills, 250 shelter tool kits, and 500 tarpaulins
Now that the hurricane has hit, the Jamaica Red Cross is supporting families in 50 shelters across the country. Their priority is dealing with the aftermath and reaching people with aid in high-risk communities as soon as possible.

Reason for nominating this charity
Jamaica and it's people are very dear to me. It's heart-breaking to see the devastation across the island. Many of the people living in Jamaica were already in shacks and makeshift shelters on beaches and streets. Now the Hurricane has hit, they will have nothing, no food, shelter, water, clothing. It's a desperate situation and they urgently need assistance.

Aim of charity
We’re the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and we’re taking a stand against suicide. That means standing against feeling shit, standing up to stereotypes, and standing together to show life is always worth living.

125 lives are lost every week to suicide. And 75% of all UK suicides are male. We exist to change this.

We do it by provoking conversation, running life-saving services, and bringing people together so they reject living miserably, get help when they need it and don’t die by suicide. But we can’t do it alone. Stand with us.

Reason for nominating this charity
As someone who has suffered with mental health, sometimes it feels too difficult to reach out even to the people closest to you and CALM provide services that take this struggle away. Suicide loss is very close to my heart and mental health is still not talked about enough. By voting for CALM, you're not just supporting a charity, you’re standing up for hope, connection, and the belief that no one should have to face their darkest moments alone. Your vote helps CALM reach more people, save more lives, and build a society where living miserably is no longer the norm. Everyone deserves a reason to keep going!

Aim of charity
CCF believes that one child has the potential to lift an entire family out of poverty and that a generation of educated children has the power to change a whole society. Through intensive, long term investment in children, CCF is helping students build skills, confidence and integrity to become the progressive spokespeople and leaders of change in their community. CCF supports, empowers, educates and builds leadership in Steung Meanchey and beyond to break the cycle of poverty and enable a better life for the children, their families and the community.

Reason for nominating this charity
A wonderful initiative that is focussed on facilitating change at a grass roots level. I also firmly believe that education (and access to education) is the main way that cycles of intergenerational poverty can be broken. I am acutely aware of how lucky I am to have been born in a country where access to quality education is a right, not a privilege and am delighted to support a charity looking to open up such access to education to people that may not have otherwise had the opportunity.
My parents are also quite involved in supporting this charity and recently completed a charity bike ride in Cambodia for this charity and are doing the same again next year. I would love to get involved in that bike ride next year or the year after and represent DUAL/Howden in doing so.

Aim of charity
Cancer Research UK's mission is to "beat cancer" through its research, influence, and information, with an ambition to see three in four people survive the disease by 2034. The organisation's work focuses on four key areas: discovery, detection, prevention, and treatment.
Discovery: Research into the fundamental biology of cancer.
Detection: Developing new tests and improving diagnostics.
Prevention: Acting against known cancer risks, such as smoking, to prevent cancers from occurring.
Treatment: Creating and improving new treatments for cancer.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 4 colleagues
Cancer Research UK is a charity that means so much to us because cancer has touched our lives in deeply personal ways. One of us lost their dad to leukaemia at just 48 years old. His journey was heart-breaking, what started as feeling weak turned into a devastating diagnosis. Despite his courage and positivity through gruelling treatment, he passed away before Christmas. Watching him fight and still not survive is something we never want other families to experience.

Others among us have seen friends and loved ones face the fear and uncertainty of cancer, and one colleague’s life was saved thanks to Cancer Research UK. When they were diagnosed, the treatment wasn’t yet available on the NHS, but Cancer Research funded their surgery. It meant avoiding months of chemotherapy and being back on their feet within weeks, a life-changing difference for a young working mother. That same treatment is now available on the NHS thanks to their research.

Cancer Research UK funds ground-breaking science, improves early detection, and develops more effective treatments. Their work gives hope to families and saves lives every day. Supporting them is our way of honouring those we’ve lost, standing with those still fighting, and helping to move closer to a future where cancer is cured.

Aim of charity
CARE International operates in more than 90 countries around the world. We run poverty-fighting programmes and deliver life-saving aid in 79 developing countries. This work is supported by global policy and advocacy work, fundraising, and programme management provided by CARE offices in countries like the USA and the UK. CARE International UK was founded in 1985 and we are one of 14 full members of the global CARE International federation. As well as supporting CARE’s humanitarian and development work around the world, CARE International UK provides specific expertise in the areas of women’s economic empowerment, inclusive governance, humanitarian response (particularly shelter, and gender in emergencies), and engaging with the private sector. We also play a key role in CARE’s work engaging with and influencing policy-makers and decision-makers to tackle the structural causes of poverty and social injustice.

Reason for nominating this charity
This charity not only supports people in poverty when disaster strikes, it also enables grass roots development. It's Lend With Care programme enables micro-loans enabling everyday people to support those in more difficult situations for as little as they can afford via a mechanism that would allow the support of multiple people over time. Making participation in charitable projects something anyone can aspire to is fantastic. The fact the charity puts women and girls at the centre of their causes is commendable, especially given women and girls in these situations are often the ones who suffer the most. The charity provides support to school-aged girls and their families to help girls stay in school, transition through the school system and/or enrol in non-formal classes if they have already been out of school for some time. Finally, CARE helps girls avoid early marriage and build their confidence and life skills providing them with long lasting tools to survive.

Aim of charity
CARE International operates in more than 90 countries around the world. We run poverty-fighting programmes and deliver life-saving aid in 79 developing countries. This work is supported by global policy and advocacy work, fundraising, and programme management provided by CARE offices in countries like the USA and the UK. CARE International UK was founded in 1985 and we are one of 14 full members of the global CARE International federation. As well as supporting CARE’s humanitarian and development work around the world, CARE International UK provides specific expertise in the areas of women’s economic empowerment, inclusive governance, humanitarian response (particularly shelter, and gender in emergencies), and engaging with the private sector. We also play a key role in CARE’s work engaging with and influencing policy-makers and decision-makers to tackle the structural causes of poverty and social injustice.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 6 colleagues

The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) is dedicated to supporting the social care workforce, those who care for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. There are nearly two million care workers in the UK, forming one of the largest workforces, yet they often receive little recognition and face daily challenges such as low pay, inconsistent hours, and lack of resources.

CWC provides immediate financial assistance to care workers in crisis, whether due to sudden illness, unexpected expenses, or personal emergencies. Their grants offer essential support during difficult times, enabling carers to keep caring. They also provide free counselling sessions and Mental Health First Aider training, helping care workers manage stress and maintain wellbeing, which benefits both them and those they care for.

Beyond direct support, the charity actively campaigns for fair treatment, recognition, and pay for care workers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the “Clap for Carers” campaign highlighted their vital role, and CWC continues to advocate for the respect and resources this workforce deserves. Their mission revolves around three pillars: crisis support, mental health initiatives, and advocacy, making a real difference to those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.

Aim of charity
Founded in 1927, Cats Protection has grown to become the UK's leading feline welfare charity. We now help around 200,000 cats and kittens every year through our network of over 200 volunteer-run branches, and 37 adoption centres. We have over 5,000 cats in our care at any time and in 2019 we rehomed 41,000 cats and kittens.

Reason for nominating this charity
I have volunteered with the Cats Protection since March, and it is amazing to see how many cats they help each week.

Aim of charity
Parker County Center of Hope is a Christ-centered ministry dedicated to helping individuals break the cycle of poverty and create a better life for themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. Our objective is to build relationships with accountability and help individuals discover resources to meet their own needs. The Center’s crisis program meets the needs of today by providing services such as daily meals, groceries, and financial assistance for utilities, dental and medical needs. But to truly break the cycle of poverty, we offer long-term solutions that help restore hope. Through educational classes, mentoring relationships and faith, we help individuals find purpose and dignity.

Reason for nominating this charity
The Center of Hope truly lives up to its name, offering support in countless ways. From providing hot meals Monday through Thursday and monthly groceries, to adult education classes that build essential skills in reading, writing, math, English proficiency, and problem-solving—everything is designed to help individuals become productive workers, family members, and citizens. They also run summer camps for children and offer financial assistance, all with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty and strengthening families. Beyond these programs, the Center of Hope steps in during unexpected emergencies, ensuring that those in crisis are never alone. Their work is about more than services, it’s about building a stronger, more connected community where people help one another.

Aim of charity
Centrepoint is the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity supporting 16-25 year olds across the UK. Our mission is to give homeless young people a future and to end youth homelessness

Reason for nominating this charity
There is nothing that upsets me more than seeing youngsters going through homelessness in the UK. To be homeless is horrendous for anyone to go through but for youngsters, who should be living the most exciting and best years of their life, to go through this is heart breaking. I have given to this charity before and it means a lot to me.

Aim of charity
CHASE Africa seeks to empower women and girls by improving access to health services in rural communities and by addressing the high unmet need for family planning. In so doing it also aims to improve maternal and child outcomes, especially in communities that have been marginalised and underserved. CHASE works in communities where there remain considerable barriers to girls and women realising their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and the unmet demand for modern contraceptives leads to high numbers of unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions and HIV infections. In parallel, rates of preventable maternal deaths are high (maternal death remains the leading cause of death of women of reproductive age due to many women having closely spaced pregnancies without appropriate ante-natal and post-natal support, or access to facilities or trained staff for deliveries.
The situation is particularly acute for adolescents and youth in East Africa, who experience some of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in the world, alongside being the group at greatest risk of HIV infection. Girls who are not able to realise their sexual and reproductive health and rights are at greater risk of sexually transmitted infections (most notably HIV) and gender-based violence (including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)), and are often forced to drop out of school, due to early marriage and unwanted pregnancy. (add stats)
Without control over her body and rights, a woman lacks agency to make decisions about her reproductive health. Enabling women and girls to realise their sexual and reproductive health and rights is therefore a fundamental step towards greater gender equality.

Reason for nominating this charity
Chase Africa is a fantastic charity that addresses human and environmental challenges in East Africa at their root cause. Working with local partners, the charity seeks to empower women and girls in remote rural areas by giving them access to vital health and family planning services. This work helps reduce unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, HIV infections and preventable maternal deaths. In parallel, they support community-focused conservation projects which bring wider economic and social benefits to the remote regions in which they work.

Aim of charity
State grammar secondary school provide outstanding education to girls of all backgrounds.

Reason for nominating this charity
I want to nominate this charity as this provides education to my daughter not only that recently, school had to completely close a language (German) department due to lack of funds. This made many girls dream shattered as they couldn't take that language for GCSE or A levels .I would want the school to provide every opportunity to all the girls to accomplish their dreams and aims through education /opportunities .Any funding to the school is appreciated.

Aim of charity
The Childhood Cancer Association provides ongoing and practical hands on support for children with cancer and their families. The Childhood Cancer Association is one of Australia's key childhood cancer support organisations, dedicated to supporting children living with cancer, and their families. Currently, the Childhood Cancer Association supports more than 400 children with cancer and their families from South Australia, Northern Territory and country Victoria/New South Wales, each and every year. Support is tailored to meet the needs of every individual family. Our key services and support include: professional counselling, daily hospital visits, sibling support, accommodation for country/interstate families, respite accommodation for all families, financial assistance, education support via home tutoring and bereavement support. We do this without a dollar of ongoing public funding. That's why we rely on our community, people like you because we need your help to support kids with cancer and their families.

Reason for nominating this charity
In March this year, my son was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. From the very beginning of this journey, this incredible charity has been by our side, offering unwavering support to our entire family. Their compassion, guidance, and practical assistance have helped us navigate the emotional and logistical challenges of childhood cancer. What makes this organisation truly special is its people, the staff and volunteers are often parents themselves who have experienced the impact of childhood cancer first-hand. Their empathy and dedication shine through in everything they do. Whether it's providing emotional support, connecting us with resources, or simply being there to listen, they have made a lasting difference in our lives. We are still receiving support from them today, and I cannot overstate how grateful we are. This charity is a lifeline for families like ours, and I wholeheartedly nominate them in recognition of their outstanding work and the hope they bring to so many.

Aim of charity
We are a lean, volunteer-led organisation that takes donations of books that children have grown out of, sorts them and then gifts them to disadvantaged and vulnerable families. Our books provide inspiration, pleasure, escapism and a sense of potential for children who otherwise may not have these tools to draw upon. Our inclusive gifting sessions are run through schools and groups and are designed to help every child feel part of a wider reading community. They are fun, and designed to engage even the most disinterested reader.
Support from organisations takes many forms, including:
- Volunteers to help sort and organise books
- Book Drives conducted in office premises
- Fundraising to support our overheads (we keep these to an absolute minimum)
- Sponsorship of key aspects of our programme

Reason for nominating this charity
I am delighted to nominate the Children’s Book Project for a £30,000 donation in recognition of its outstanding work tackling book poverty among disadvantaged children across the UK. One in three disadvantaged children has fewer than ten books at home, and one in ten has none. The Children’s Book Project is dedicated to changing this by gifting books and empowering children to choose what they want to read, fostering a love of reading and building vibrant reading communities. The charity’s inclusive and joyful book gifting events have a tangible impact on families, addressing not only poverty but also barriers such as lack of time, negative childhood experiences, and low confidence in reading. Research shows that book ownership is directly linked to improved mental health and educational attainment. By age eleven, children from book-rich homes are twelve months ahead in language development compared to those with fewer than ten books. This year, the charity will gift over 550,000 books to children nationwide, working closely with women’s groups, children’s centres, prisons, and schools. Most books are donated by families, ensuring sustainability and community involvement. A donation of £30,000 would enable the Children’s Book Project to expand its reach, host more creative gifting events, and place books directly into the hands of children who need them most. I wholeheartedly recommend the Children’s Book Project for this benefit, confident that the funds will be used to make a lasting difference in children’s lives and help close the attainment gap caused by low book ownership.

Aim of charity
With three children still dying every week from cancer in Australia, there is still more work to be done. But with the brightest brains, cutting-edge facilities and the greatest determination, we will get the job done. Children's Cancer Institute is the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to cure childhood cancer. We can and we will cure childhood cancer.

Reason for nominating this charity
As a mother, the thought of my children being affected by cancer is one of my greatest fears. That’s why I feel so strongly about supporting the Children's Cancer Institute. Their commitment to curing childhood cancer and improving survival rates is truly inspiring. While incredible progress has been made over the past 60 years, there are still children in Australia still lose their battle every week. This charity is working tirelessly to change that, and by supporting them, we’re helping create a future where childhood cancer is no longer a devastating reality.

Aim of charity
Children's Hospice South West provides care for children who have life-limiting conditions and are not expected to live into adulthood, whilst also supporting their whole family. With more than 1,000 families with life-limited children in the South West, we provide care and support for nearly 500 families from the point of diagnosis through to bereavement and beyond, for as long as the family needs us. We operate three hospices: Little Bridge House in North Devon, Charlton Farm in North Somerset and Little Harbour in Cornwall. Each hospice offers families the opportunity for respite, relaxation, laughter and friendship, as well as expert palliative and terminal care. Our hospices are places full of love and laughter, where families can begin to forget their worries for a while, be a family again and receive the very best care for their child. Our hospices are open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, providing specialist one to one care for children as well as support, advice and a listening ear to families. The money that we receive from the Government is not guaranteed each year, therefore we need to rely entirely on voluntary contributions to safeguard our vital service into the future.

Reason for nominating this charity
The CHSW helped Ella and our family throughout her life and continue to provide support since she died. Some of the things they provided are:
- Stays at Charlton Farm for Ella and our Family. Fully qualified Nurses looked after Ella and provided her care. This enabled us to have a break and Ella loved playing with the nurses and using the amazing equipment, sensory rooms etc at Charlton Farm.
- Stays at Charlton Farm so that we could have a few days to ourselves and a break away sometimes. We were her full time carers so these breaks kept us sane and allowed us to rest.
- Depending on the needs of the child you can have up to 14 nights staying at their sites per year.
- They provide support for the siblings of the Child with a Life Limiting disease.
- They provide special days out for the kids and/or their families. Tea & Coffee meet up for the parents so you can talk to other people in the same situation as you.
- They are linked closely to the Bristol Children’s Hospital (CBRI) and helped provide the care that Ella needed throughout her life.
- They are linked to the Palliative Care team in the CBRI and helped us through her last couple of years to ensure that she remained as comfortable as possible. They also provided care and support for us as a family.
- When Ella died in the hospital they didn’t have room to keep her there but we were lucky to be able to transfer her to Charlton Farm where she lay at rest for 5 days. We were able to spend those 5 days with her and say good bye.
- The CHSW continue to provide care for our family and arrange meet ups for the parents

I’m just scratching the surface of the help they provide to hundreds of families across the South West.

Aim of charity
Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We help people directly out of homelessness and campaign for the changes needed to solve it altogether. We work directly with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in 9 areas across England, Scotland and Wales. We provide practical one-to-one support to help people access benefits, healthcare services, employment opportunities, and more. Our main aim is to relieve the huge pressure of homelessness, by helping people find safe and affordable homes as quickly as possible.

Reason for nominating this charity
Crisis is Barnett Waddingham's national charity partner for this year’s Giving Back campaign because their work tackles one of the most urgent social issues affecting communities across the UK. They deliver practical support for people experiencing homelessness while helping individuals rebuild their lives through housing, skills, employment, and wraparound services. Their approach is evidence based, person centred and focused on ending homelessness for good rather than managing it at the margins.

We also have a meaningful existing relationship with Crisis. Last Christmas our colleagues raised over 10k through firmwide fundraising, demonstrating how strongly our people connect with the cause and how committed they are to supporting those who need it most at a difficult time of year. This nomination builds on that momentum and creates another opportunity for colleagues across all offices to contribute to lasting change.

Crisis work in every region where we operate, which allows us to take part in a truly shared national effort while still supporting vulnerable people in our local communities. Their services give individuals dignity, stability, and the chance to move away from homelessness permanently.

But what sets Crisis apart is that they do not stop at providing services. They campaign relentlessly for the systemic change needed to end homelessness altogether. Their work challenges the root causes by pushing for better housing supply, fairer welfare policies, rapid rehousing approaches, and stronger public services that prevent homelessness rather than react to it. They champion the voices of people with lived experience, influence government policy, and drive national conversations that shift public attitudes and reduce stigma.

By supporting Crisis, we are not only helping individuals right now. We are backing a charity that is fighting to change the systems that cause homelessness in the first place. It is a partnership that lets our people see their impact today while contributing to a future where everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.

Aim of charity
This charity aims to see improved lives today, and a future world free from Crohn's and Colitis tomorrow. Its primary goals include: breaking taboos, driving pioneering research, bringing people together, and campaigning to improve lives.

Reason for nominating this charity
Every day, people are diagnosed with Crohn's or Colitis, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease. You could be any age, rich or poor, of any faith or none, of any ethnicity, sexuality, or gender. You could be anyone walking down any UK street. Whoever you are, a diagnosis of Crohn's or Colitis will be life changing. Crohn's and Colitis UK is the leading charity in the fight against Crohn's and Colitis.
For the last 18 years my younger brother has been living with Crohn's, receiving specialist treatments with the hope of long-term remission in symptoms. This has impacted his overall health and wellbeing, work and social life. There is hope that, with as much charitable investment as many other mainstream diseases, this long term condition could be curable within the next decade.

Aim of charity
Epidermolysis Bullosa is an incurable, progressive, debilitating and very painful genetic skin condition which causes internal and external blisters at the slightest friction. In its most serious form, it causes wounds that are like having very severe burns, eventually leading to skin cancer. Cure EB exist to find and fund research into treatments and, ultimately, a cure for this devastating disease.

Reason for nominating this charity
My daughter, Fleur, was born in 2020 with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB). This has caused her daily pain, dealing with fragile skin that breaks easily, heals differently with repetitive scarring and blisters continuously. Every day is met with care needs, and activities other children can do with ease are difficult or out of reach for Fleur. Fleur is able to lead a relatively normal life as she is on the lower end of the spectrum for severity - other children face much more painful skin disorders and even shortened lifespans.

Fleur is part of a Clinical Trail into new treatments to try and alleviate some of the symptoms of RDEB and Cure EB have funded this. We want other families who have been impacted by this horrible and not widely known condition, to be afforded the help and opportunities we have had.

Aim of charity
The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a non-profit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease.

Reason for nominating this charity
I'm nominating the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation because as someone who has CF, the foundation has been a constant support throughout my, and millions of others lives. While there is not yet a cure for cystic fibrosis, the CF Foundation's work has lead to the development of ground-breaking treatments and provides resources to individuals and families at all stages of the disease, from diagnosis to end of life care. Since its founding in 1955, the CF Foundation works alongside patients and medical professionals through a variety of initiatives that have transformed the care and life expectancy of those with the disease. Ongoing initiatives and supports include connecting patients to care centers, community supports (as the disease prevents patients from interacting in person), and cutting edge research and technologies to ensure patients can receive the best care possible, no matter their age or financial background.

Aim of charity
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust fights for a life unlimited for everyone affected by cystic fibrosis in the UK. We want to create a world where being born with CF no longer destroys lives, and we will not stop until we beat it for good. We do this by when everyone born with CF has the same expectations of health, wellbeing and a chance to grow old as those without it. There is no cure for CF; two lives are lost each week to the condition and the average age at death is just 28 years old. Cystic fibrosis is a life-shortening genetic condition that destroys the lungs and digestive system. It affects over 10,800 people in the UK, with one in 25 of us carrying the faulty gene responsible for the condition.

Reason for nominating this charity
My daughter (Scarlett) has cystic fibrosis so this charity is very close to home. From birth we have had to watch Scarlett struggle with this awful condition, enduring regular hospital stays from 2-4 week stays at a time, and up to 3-4 times a year throughout her life. Scarlett is now 14 and over the years I have witnessed first hand the amazing work this charity has done and still doing. Although this is still a lifelong condition which requires daily medication, physio, nebulisers and much more just to keep patients healthy, over the past 14 years the work this charity has done has been amazing. New treatments have become available, new techniques, new advances are being made every year. This has allowed Scarlett and many other CF patients to have a better quality of life. Scarlett is now able to play regular football, go out with her friends and do the things she should've been able to do when she was younger. There is still continuous work involved in understanding cystic fibrosis and there is much more to be done, hence the reason I am choosing this charity. Just to give you a brief insight....Cystic Fibrosis is a respiratory a genetic disease that causes a build-up of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive system, leading to respiratory problems and issues with digestion, and is a lifelong condition. Many Cystic Fibrosis patients require lungs transplants at a very young age, and life expectancy is short in most patients. Currently there is no cure for this disease.

Aim of charity
We dedicate everything we collect for the maintenance of the shelter and for the care, feeding and veterinary expenses derived from the cats to which we give a second chance.

Reason for nominating this charity
Living in a busy city, life is often harsh and hostile, and the non-human animals that live in them tend to be overlooked. I had the chance to witness first hand the hard work they do and the loving care they provide to the cats in our streets, and I feel thankful for this group of humans dedicating so much time and effort for creatures that have no one else to help them out in times of need.

Aim of charity
We are the UK's leading diabetes charity and our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm. By bringing people together to work in partnership, we will support those living with diabetes, prevent type 2, make research breakthroughs in diabetes and ultimately find a cure.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 2 colleagues

Diabetes UK provides vital support, advice, and education to people living with diabetes and their families. Through their helpline, online communities, and local support groups, they help individuals manage a lifelong condition that can often feel overwhelming. They fund groundbreaking research into preventing and curing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, develop better treatments and technologies, and improve understanding of complications and how to avoid them. They also fight for better care, challenge stigma, and empower prevention.

This charity is especially close to our hearts. One colleague’s son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 17 years old after rapid weight loss and other symptoms led to a diabetic coma. Thanks to vigilant care and ongoing support, he is now 27 and living a healthy, active life—using modern technology like a Libre patch to monitor his condition with ease. Diabetes UK’s work makes stories like this possible, and their continued efforts are essential in the battle against diabetes to help others live well with this condition.

Aim of charity
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971. In over 70 countries around the world, MSF saves lives by providing medical aid where it is needed most—in armed conflicts, epidemics, natural disasters, and other crises. The people who work for MSF are doctors, nurses, midwives, epidemiologists, water-and-sanitation experts and many others who combine their professional expertise with a commitment to the world’s most vulnerable people. Each year, these medical teams run close to 470 projects where they care for millions of people. As an organization, MSF is neutral and operates independently of any political, military, or religious agendas. It does not take sides in armed conflicts, provides care based on needs alone, and advocates for increased independent access to victims of conflict and disaster as required under international humanitarian law. Medical teams conduct evaluations on the ground to determine a population's medical needs before opening programs, aiming to fill gaps that exist (rather than replicating services that are already offered) or reach communities that are not being assisted.

Reason for nominating this charity
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides emergency medical humanitarian assistance based on need alone, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation, to people affected by conflict, disease, or natural disasters

Aim of charity
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, with over 130 years of experience. Each year, we care for around 14,000 dogs through our 22 rehoming centres across the UK and Ireland. As well as rehoming and looking after the dogs in our care, we also have a range of educational, training and outreach projects. At Dogs Trust we believe a dog is for life, which is why we work hard to keep dogs and families together. Our Dog School prevents relinquishment by equipping the owners of more than 20,000 dogs with the tools to prevent unwanted behaviours from occurring. Whilst our free Behaviour Support Line provides training and behaviour advice. We also provide financial support, through subsidised Dog School and Canine Behaviour services for those in hardship, and support for vet care and dog Food Bank projects. Our outreach project support society’s most vulnerable. The Hope Project provides food and veterinary care to dogs owned by people in housing crisis across the UK. Whilst our Freedom Project provides free and confidential temporary care for dogs, enabling owners fleeing domestic abuse to access a refuge without the fear of what may happen to their dog if left behind. Our world-leading research team conducts ground-breaking studies that push the boundaries of veterinary and canine behavioural science and drive change in the canine welfare sector.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 2 colleagues
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, delivering practical, nationwide impact for dogs and the people who love them. They rescue and rehome dogs through a network of centres, run prevention initiatives like microchipping and owner education, and operate specialist programmes such as the Freedom Project for people fleeing domestic abuse and the Hope Project supporting owners experiencing homelessness.

Dogs Trust is known for never putting a healthy dog to sleep and for being transparent about outcomes, ensuring donations translate into real results: fewer abandonments, better welfare standards, and more stable homes. As one colleague put it, “Dogs cannot protect themselves from humans, so it is our job to protect them.” For those of us who know the joy of responsible ownership (like caring for Henri and Ruby, two French bulldogs!) supporting Dogs Trust means backing measurable change and a charity our company can be proud of.

Aim of charity
‘Their Last Chance to Live’ for dogs who have not received any rescue offers in time to save their lives. Working with the pounds, veterinary surgeries, the police, social services and private homes and also rescuing dogs from dire situations such as back street breeders, fighting rings and drug gangs. Respected retraining and rehabilitation rescue preparing abandoned and betrayed dogs for loving homes. Non destruct. All unpaid volunteers paying their own expenses, with no administration costs. Open to help a dog in need 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Awarded in 2013 the Burgess/Wetnose Best Dog Rescue Centre, in 2019 the IFAW Animal Action Award for Dog Rescue and in 2020 Charity Champion Award – Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons. Dedicated to the founder’s mother and strictly following her ethos that every life counts and should be treated with compassion and respect.

Reason for nominating this charity
My reason for nominating this particular dog rescue setup is that they are one of the few that truly never give up on dogs. They help the ones that have ended up in local kennels due to being lost or abandoned and are due for destruction after 7 days, and other rescues have sadly not stepped in to help. As well as looking after our own dogs we spend just about every weekend there, as well as lunch breaks during the week where possible, helping others by spending time with them to get these dogs ready for loving owners. This includes helping socialise them in public, not just behind closed doors, where dog such as Bruce have flourished after previously spending his entire life as a ‘guard unit’ somewhere and had never seen a beach or open water. Some of them have come from the most dire situations ranging from back street breeders to fighting rings and drug gangs. We help with retraining and rehabilitation to prepare them for loving homes following a non destruction approach. The rescue runs with the help of volunteers such as myself who are unpaid and cover their own expenses, with no administration costs. Open to help dogs in need 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Funds are always massively limited and generally relies on kindness from the public to cover basic operating costs so any amount received always goes a long way to ensuring continued safety for dogs that previously haven’t had that.

Aim of charity
Our mission is to enrich the lives of children with a disability, serious illness or life-limiting condition by making their dreams come true. We are the only UK wish granting charity that supports children living in the highest areas of deprivation. Dreams Come True work with children who have it tough. We believe every child has the right to dream, no matter who they are or where they live. You can help us make this belief a reality by becoming a #DreamMaker. Whether it is a UK family getaway for a young cancer patient, a specially adapted trike for a child with cerebral palsy or a tablet to help an autistic teenager develop their communication skills. Each dream brings moments of magic and has a lasting impact for years to come. With the cost-of-living crisis and soaring inflation, families are struggling to make ends meet. Especially those faced with extra costs due to having a child with additional needs. We do not receive any government funding, and therefore rely solely on our supporters to help us continue our important work for children and young people in the highest areas of deprivation in the UK.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 7 colleagues

Dreams Come True is an incredible charity dedicated to bringing joy and hope to children who need it most. They make dreams a reality for children living with serious illnesses, disabilities, or life-limiting conditions, often in the highest areas of deprivation across the UK. Whether it’s meeting a hero, going on a magical trip, receiving sensory toys or specialist equipment, each dream is personal and life-changing.

What makes this charity so special is the impact beyond the dream itself. They give children confidence, families cherished memories, and moments of happiness during overwhelming times. Their work is about breaking isolation and creating joy where it’s needed most.

The team at Dreams Come True is truly inspirational, they go above and beyond to ensure every child and family feels supported. They also run community projects for children with disabilities and serious illnesses, making a difference in ways that would otherwise be out of reach.

By supporting Dreams Come True, we help bring smiles, hope, and unforgettable experiences to children who truly deserve them. It’s not just about fulfilling wishes, it’s about changing lives.

Aim of charity
At the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, we aim to ensure that every person, man or woman, young or old, who has been violated and hurt by rape, sexual assault, or childhood sexual abuse, is given the necessary support and counselling. Rape and childhood sexual abuse are terrible crimes that happen to people we all know – your work colleague, your daughter, your son, your friend, your neighbour. These crimes cross every social divide, affect women and men, children and the elderly. They impact not only on the person assaulted but also on their families and wider society.
Our 24 Hour National Helpline is a fundamental part of our service and speaking to a telephone counsellor is often the first step to recovery and healing.

Reason for nominating this charity
The Centre’s work with survivors of sexual violence has always impressed me – they are the leading organisation in Ireland for supporting people affected by these violent acts. I have personally supported the Centre for many years and I know how important their work is. The National Rape Crisis Helpline was contacted 22,700 times last year and is open 24 hour a day, 365 days a year. The Centre is ready to listen whenever a survivor is ready to talk.

Aim of charity
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating muscle-wasting disease. It is the most common and severe form of Muscular Dystrophy. Diagnosed in childhood, it mainly affects boys. There is currently no cure. Started by families affected by the disease, Duchenne UK has one clear aim – to end Duchenne. We’re doing this by funding research that’s focused on getting treatments to those affected now – as well as pushing for an effective treatment in the future. We connect leading researchers with industry, the NHS and patients to challenge every stage of drug development, from research to clinical trials to drug approval. We connect families with each other to create a network of mutual support and to pool our resources, knowledge and experience. We connect brilliant people and generous philanthropists to grow our impact and help them be part of something incredible – the end of Duchenne. Together we’ve created new infrastructure to deliver clinical trials through the DMD Hub, and we fund doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and trial coordinators needed to run trials. We’ve uncovered treatments and enabled them to be delivered to patients. We’ve successfully campaigned to enable quicker access to new treatments. And through Project HERCULES, we have established an innovative way to connect leading DMD drug developers to collaborate to speed up access to treatments.

Reason for nominating this charity
I would like to nominate Duchenne UK for a charity award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to medical research, patient advocacy, and transformative support for individuals affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Being a mother of Duchenne boy, I know how important these research programs are and how vital these treatments are for the boys suffering from DMD. Founded by two mothers whose sons were diagnosed with DMD, Duchenne UK has grown into the UK’s leading DMD charity. Their mission is clear and powerful: to end Duchenne. They have pioneered a collaborative model that connects researchers, industry, the NHS, and families, ensuring that patient voices are at the heart of every initiative. In 2024 alone, Duchenne UK played a pivotal role in securing two new treatment approvals, including Givinostat, through tireless advocacy and community mobilisation. Their venture philanthropy approach helped accelerate the development of Vamorolone, a promising steroid alternative. These breakthroughs are life-changing for families across the UK.

Their innovative projects include:
Project HERCULES, which won the EURORDIS Black Pearl Award for Patient Engagement.
Elevex, a cutting-edge mobility device for upper body support.
A new data platform to transform care and research.
The DMD Care UK initiative, improving clinical standards nationwide.

Duchenne UK’s impact is not only scientific but deeply personal. They empower families, fund critical research, and campaign for systemic change. Their work exemplifies the power of patient-led innovation and community-driven progress. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly nominate Duchenne UK for this award. Their dedication, achievements, and compassion make them a beacon of hope and a model for what modern charities can accomplish.

Aim of charity
"For over 40 years, our mission has been to fight hunger with compassion and dignity in DuPage Township. We understand that access to nutritious food is one of the core components of the social determinants of health, and our program aims to build brighter futures while reducing adverse health outcomes associated with poor nutrition."

Reason for nominating this charity
Local food pantry which needs help now more than ever.

Aim of charity
The East End Community Foundation is a grant-maker and philanthropy advisor dedicated to improving lives in the East End. For over 30 years we have been working with our partners to tackle inequality in the London boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and the City of London. We cover a broad range of social needs but to achieve greater impact we are concentrating our resources on the needs of young people, older people and digital inequality, all of which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The East End Community Foundation’s Life Chances Campaign aims to raise £5million to support the most vulnerable to recover from the impact of the pandemic and create lasting change in the East End of London. There are many critical local organisations with limited resources that urgently need funding to meet the extraordinary demand created by the pandemic. The Campaign will convene funding and resources to provide sustained investment in the most effective organisations to transform Life Chances for local people. If we support the vulnerable, whilst creating equal access to local opportunities, the East End will become a more cohesive and resilient community in the face of one of the worst crises in our recent history.

Reason for nominating this charity
Eastend Community Foundation (ECF) is at the heart of East London, championing opportunities for those who need them most. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to tackle inequality and create brighter futures for local communities. Every pound they receive is invested where it matters – in education, skills, and experiences that change lives.

The donation would have a measurable, lasting impact. It would directly support the Peter Wade Memorial Fund, held by ECF, which enables young children to access water sports in an area surrounded by historic docks. These activities aren’t just recreational – they build confidence, teamwork, and resilience, while connecting children to the rich maritime heritage of East London.
My Grandad, Peter Wade, was a passionate local activist and former Head of Public Affairs for Canary Wharf Group, dedicated his life to advocating for children’s education and opportunities. This fund continues that legacy, ensuring that local children – many from disadvantaged backgrounds – experience something extraordinary and aspirational. Without my Grandad’s dedication to the community, many local children – myself included – would have missed out on opportunities that shaped our futures. Growing up in an area of deprivation, the chances to dream big and achieve more were limited. His work opened doors that made aspirations, like working for a company such as Howden, feel possible rather than out of reach. That’s why it’s vital his legacy continues through his memorial fund, ensuring that local children today can access opportunities that might otherwise seem unattainable.
Supporting ECF aligns perfectly with Howden’s values: community, inclusion, and making a real difference where we live and work. As a business rooted in London, we believe in giving back to the communities that shape us. ECF is not just a charity; it’s part of our local fabric, delivering programmes that matter – from youth development to tackling poverty. Having personally engaged with a number of their volunteering opportunities, I can truly see the impact they have.

By choosing Eastend Community Foundation, we’re investing in the next generation, honouring a legacy of advocacy, and strengthening the bonds that make East London thrive.

Aim of charity
The Day Centre was established in 1981. At Elizabeth House Cookham, we are dedicated to providing a caring, friendly, happy, fun and safe environment for our members to benefit from and enjoy. Elizabeth House Day Centre emerged out of a pursuit to fill a gap – to provide a social setting for the elderly in our community. The importance of socialising is seen in the improved wellbeing of those who come to enjoy the company of others. Our Day Centre is unique in this part of Berkshire. We are well supported by local businesses and other local charities who, along with our members, recognise Elizabeth House as an important and wonderful community asset. We have our own premises with facilities to meet the needs of our members. We are equipped to welcome members who are aged over 60 years, who are physically able to move INDEPENDENTLY around the Day Centre (even if that is with the aid of a frame or wheelchair) and who are mentally capable of understanding guidelines that are in place for members’ safety.

Reason for nominating this charity
Elizabeth House provides an amazing facility for people aged 60+ to live independently within the community, without this facility the many members would not be able to meet and socialise with other people, would not have a warm environment to spend their day in, would not have access to hairdressers or chiropodists and would not receive a cooked meal on a daily basis. Elizabeth House really is at the centre of Cookham village but it does depend on volunteers and donations to survive. Please vote for Elizabeth House as you never know when you might need similar support to enable you to continue to live independently in your community.

Aim of charity
Emerge Australia is a national patient organisation providing information, support and advocacy for people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Our work gives hope and help to more than 250,000 Australians living with ME/CFS. The impacts of ME/CFS can be devastating, leaving 25% of patients housebound or bedbound, with many people unable to work or participate in community life. People living with ME/CFS often feel invisible due to the unknown cause of the condition, lack of effective treatment options and limited community awareness, leading many to 'go missing' from their own lives. In order to continue our essential work, Emerge Australia relies on generous support from the community as we continue to lobby for increased public awareness and funding for biomedical research.

Our work
- We provide expertise on issues to do with ME/CFS at a national level
- We host a range of community, national and international events that aim to increase awareness of ME/CFS as a biomedical illness
- We provide a variety of resources, as well as news and updates, for people living with ME/CFS
- We provide a telehealth nurse service to help meet the needs of people living with ME/CFS
- We advocate for systemic reform to improve access to financial and social supports, and to improve access to better healthcare for people living with ME/CFS
- We lobby for increases in community support for people with the disease and to drive more biomedical research into ME/CFS

Reason for nominating this charity
A family member suffers from this condition. It’s an invisible illness, very real, yet often misunderstood - and it could affect anyone. More research is urgently needed to find a cure and bring hope to those living with it.

Aim of charity
EMERGENCY's approach to humanitarian care provision is epitomised by the following characteristics:

Training and employing local people: over 95% of our staff in the field are local people, enabling them to have economic independence and security, as well as contributing to local communities.

The exceptional quality of care and training: Access to quality healthcare is a human right and should be available to everyone. We provide the same level of training, healthcare, health standards, and hospital infrastructure as one would expect in a high-income country.

Our sustainable focus: Healthcare cannot and should not be for the short-term. Fundamental to EMERGENCY’s work is to be sustainable, through building hospitals and training and employing local people.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am nominating Emergency UK because of their unwavering commitment to providing free, high-quality medical care to victims of war, poverty, and landmines. Their work not only saves lives but restores dignity to those affected by conflict and crisis. Emergency UK embodies compassion, resilience, and global solidarity - values that deeply resonate with me and our mission to support impactful humanitarian efforts.

Aim of charity
Encore Community Service is a group that helps serve the elderly community of New York City. About 45% of older New Yorkers live alone, and Encore gives them the opportunity to find community by hosting art classes and yoga, and hot lunch for as little as $2. The city of New York only provides enough funding for 1 meal a day for 7 days a week, and the mission of Encore is to provide nutritional and environmental stability for the elderly community.

Reason for nominating this charity
The elderly are an underappreciated community - they have so much life experience and wisdom, and it's disheartening to see them not prioritized because they no longer contribute to the workforce. I had the pleasure of volunteering at Encore's Times Square location with Howden and saw first-hand the attention and care that Encore puts into their work. We were one of several volunteers that day, and some of the volunteers are there on a weekly basis which is great to observe. Encore winning a charitable donation from Howden would mean thousands of meals and the ability to create more social engagement for the elders of New York City.

Aim of charity
Did you know?
In 2020, the UNDP found that at least 9 millions tons of plastic waste is entering oceans every year, impacting nearly 10,000 marine species.

How you can help?
With your support, we will clean up a large marine area in the Pacific Ocean in central Philippines and Indonesia where floating plastics are posing big threat to wildlife and ocean. We will remove 700 pounds of floating plastic per day and dispose them properly for their reuse when possible, reducing the mortality of marine wildlife and removing long-lasting plastics.

About this non-profit
Endangered Species International (ESI) is strongly committed to reversing the trend of human-induced species extinction, saving endangered animals, and preserving wild places! ESI uses less than 2% of its budget for management and operations.

ESI won multiple Top-Rated Awards from Great Non-profits and has reached the Platinum participation level through the GuideStar Exchange. Further at Charity Navigator, ESI scores 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. You can give with confidence.

Our past field work on removing plastics and protecting ocean
In the last three years, ESI has successfully removed 580,000 pounds of plastics from the ocean and conducted plastic ocean awareness for 2,600 communities in Southeast Asia. Further, we have carefully removed plastics from 1,541 marine wildlife animals and save them from entanglement and agony.

Aim of charity
Epilepsy Society is the UK’s leading provider of epilepsy services. Through our cutting edge research, awareness campaigns, information resources and expert care, we work for everyone affected by epilepsy in the UK. Our research is driven by the desire to understand what has caused the epilepsy in each individual person, to be able to identify the best therapy from the outset, and to make this expertise widely available.

Reason for nominating this charity
I myself am a sufferer and am grateful to Howden for the accommodations that it makes for my disability. This is a charity that does amazing work and hopefully this can continue.

Aim of charity
ECHO exists to ensure that no child or family faces congenital heart disease alone. They support children and young people receiving treatment at Evelina London Children’s Hospital and their families through every stage of their journey — from diagnosis to recovery and beyond. Their aim is to bring comfort, hope, and connection during the most difficult times. Through one of their services, Bedside Art Packs, they bring creativity and joy to children too unwell to join group sessions. These carefully designed packs offer more than distraction — they provide a sense of normality, self-expression, and achievement when life feels overwhelming. For parents sitting anxiously by a hospital bed, seeing their child smile and create again can be profoundly healing. By supporting ECHO, you help them deliver compassion, creativity, and care — heart to heart — where it’s needed most.

Reason for nominating this charity
I was born with a congenital heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallots and have undergone open heart surgery twice so far, with another planned in the near future. Now a mum to two amazing children, I have a deeper understanding of the struggles my own family must have experienced navigating my life long condition. ECHO does an incredible job of supporting both the children and their families in what can be the most challenging event of their lives.

Aim of charity
The aim of Evelina London Children's Hospital is to be a world-leading center for life-changing care for children, young people, and their families. This involves providing specialist care for a wide range of conditions, including complex and rare diseases, and expanding its facilities to care for more children. The hospital also aims to improve population health, reduce health inequalities through proactive initiatives and research, and create a supportive, child-friendly environment.

Reason for nominating this charity
Evelina London Children’s Hospital took incredible care of my son after he suffered a stroke at 14 months old. We’re so grateful for the expertise, compassion, and support they provided during such a difficult time.
As a parent, facing such a frightening and unexpected medical emergency was overwhelming. But from the moment we arrived, the team at Evelina provided not only expert medical attention but also compassion, reassurance, and unwavering support. Every doctor, nurse, therapist, and staff member we encountered treated my son with such kindness and professionalism, and they made sure we felt informed and supported every step of the way.

Aim of charity
Dealing with a blood cancer or disorder is life changing and scary. Treatment often requires lengthy procedures meaning days, weeks or months at a time in hospital and possibly months or years of follow up.

ELF supports families affected by blood disorders and cancers across the South West. Our services include transport, counselling, financial support and advice, accommodation and the provision of equipment to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital's Haematology Centre.

Reason for nominating this charity
My wonderful Dad was diagnosed with Leukemia a couple of years ago and therefore the cause is close to me. Being in the South West we are often forgotten about so if I can help them this would be wonderful. The charity offers a lot to families like mine who have someone diagnosed with a devastating illness.

Aim of charity
Every year, millions of children die from preventable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria and undernutrition. Hunger is still causing nearly half of deaths in children under 5 years old. From this data, we estimate at least 6,200 children die each day from causes related to undernutrition. This is heartbreaking.

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) believes hope starts with food. As a Christian nonprofit, FMSC is dedicated to seeing every child whole in body and spirit. FMSC works with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development.

FMSC meals are developed by food science and nutrition professionals to supplement nutritional needs and reduce problems with malnutrition. Nutrition allows children to grow, thrive and develop to their full potential.

Reason for nominating this charity
My wife and I have donated for years to this great cause with our financial donations as well as our time packing meals. We firmly believe that with availability of food anything is possible for these kids! Without food, they can't learn or may not survive.

Aim of charity
Féileacáin was formed by a group of bereaved parents to offer support to anyone affected by the death of a baby around the time of birth, and the organisation is now the national charity supporting families affected by perinatal loss.

Aim of charity
War leaves long lasting trauma on its youngest survivors. Firefly International is dedicated to supporting children affected by the ravages of war, providing them with critical opportunities to heal, learn, and build a peaceful future. We partner with local organisations in Bosnia, Syria and among Palestinian refugees in Cairo, providing education, mental health support and peace building initiatives tailored to the needs of war-affected children. Today our mission is more vital than ever before because the world is becoming increasingly dangerous for children affected by war.

Reason for nominating this charity
In times of conflict, children are the most vulnerable and the least responsible for the circumstances they face. Wars strip away everything - safety, education, and a sense of normalcy - leaving deep emotional and physical scars. Charities that support children affected by war are not just important; they are essential. They provide care, psychological support, and hope for a future beyond violence. With so many conflicts currently impacting millions of young lives, Firefly International is a lifeline, ensuring more children have the chance to heal and thrive. These wars often feel distant and far removed from our daily lives, making them easy to forget. At times, people hesitate to speak about certain conflicts. These are difficult conversations, and when conflicts are so politicised, it can feel even harder. But every one of us can put aside our differences to help the young lives being torn apart by violence. Firefly International works tirelessly to support these children, helping them heal, learn, and build a peaceful future. We must not only help the young people living through war today - the impact of conflicts last for generations. I believe that helping healing the youngest victims, is not just an act of compassion but can be the foundation for a chance of lasting peace. Please vote for Firefly International to help the vulnerable children affected by war.

Aim of charity
First Touch is the neonatal charity supporting sick & premature babies at St George's Hospital, London. They raise funds for vital medical equipment to give premature and poorly babies the best possible chance of a bright future. They also support parents, families and neonatal nursing staff by funding welfare projects and specialist clinical training.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am nominating First Touch in recognition of the extraordinary impact they have on families navigating the neonatal journey. My family experienced this first-hand when our daughter was born prematurely. During an incredibly stressful time, we benefited from the specialist medical equipment they fund and the emotional and practical support they provide. Their commitment to enhancing neonatal outcomes extends beyond families to the dedicated medical staff, whom they support with access to specialist training. This ensures that premature and sick babies receive the highest standard of care from professionals equipped with the latest knowledge and tools. The charity turns moments of crisis into pathways of hope, and I believe they truly deserve recognition for the difference they make.

Aim of charity
Flori’s Friends Rescue is a UK registered charity (117365) born in 2015 from Natalia George’s kitchen table. After having rescued and rehabilitated two abused street dogs herself she decided to make it her mission to bring hope to those that have lost everything they know. Natalia has extensive experience in animal nursing, husbandry and a 1st class honours degree in animal biology. After coupling her educational background with her knowledge on dog behaviour and training, Natalia continues to grow the charity alongside a dedicated core team of trustees and managers.

Reason for nominating this charity
First of all, I came across Flori's Friends Rescue when my partner shared a video of theirs with me which outlined the struggles they are currently facing through minimal funding. They have loyal support from donations and offer subscriptions monthly for as low as £1 but are constantly fighting the battle to keep the organisation running due to the cost of providing the care needed for the animals, whether that be in their end of life care, rehabilitation process or to allow them to rehome the animals with their amazing support systems in place for rehoming the animals.
The video really struck me as I could see the team were visibly dedicated to this cause but the funding behind them causes them all distress on whether they can keep providing the amazing work they currently do.

Aim of the Charity:
The Foundation’s vision is to build a society in which people with autism have their rightful place and receive the full attention they deserve. Its mission is to develop practical solutions that improve the lives of people with autism and their families, through greater understanding and support from those who interact with them. To improve the lives of autistic individuals and their families through concrete, impactful projects.

Reason for nominating:
I nominated this charity because it represents something deeply personal and profoundly important: inclusion, dignity, and hope for autistic individuals and their families.
The foundation was created in memory of my younger brother Philippe, who was autistic and passed away at just 18 years old. Since 2014, the foundation has funded innovative projects, supported families, trained caregivers, and promoted social and cultural inclusion for those who need it most.
This mission goes far beyond our family story. By mobilizing collectively for the most vulnerable, we affirm that progress is only possible when we care for those who need it most.
Our action carries the hope of a fairer, more inclusive society - where attention to others is not optional but essential.
Voting for this charity means building a society where everyone has a place.
Your support will allow the foundation to continue making a real difference for vulnerable people and their loved ones.
We want to share that opportunity with you. Please join me in honouring Philippe’s legacy and supporting a cause that changes lives. Every vote counts.

Aim of charity
La Fondazione OSF opera nell'Area Servizi alla Persona attraverso servizi semiresidenziali per persone con disabilità; servizi socioeducativi per bambini e ragazzi dai 3 ai 28 anni; una Comunità minori per l'integrazione sociale e socioculturale. Nell'ambito della Formazione: una Scuola Professionale; un Istituto Tecnico Economico; un'offerta strutturata per la formazione permanente degli adulti.
The OSF Foundation operates in the Personal Services Area through semi-residential services for people with disabilities; socio-educational services for children and youth aged 3 to 28; and a community for minors for social and socio-cultural integration. In the Education Area: a vocational school; a technical and economic institute; and structured continuing education programs for adults.

Reason for nominating this charity
L'esperienza di collaborazione tra Howden Pordenone e Fondazione Opera Sacra Famiglia, in particolare con il servizio semiresidenziale rivolto a persone con disabilità, è nata con il mercatino di Natale 2024 ed è proseguito con il sostegno del progetto "Pane e non solo". Abbiamo avuto la possibilità di incontrare i ragazzi che frequentano il servizio e gli operatori, con i quali ogni giorno svolgono differenti attività. Li stiamo sostenendo nel nostro piccolo, ma visto il prezioso lavoro svolto da tutti loro, vorremmo gratificarli e premiarli con questa magnifica opportunità! I ragazzi si impegnano quotidianamente nelle attività di cucito, panificazione, lavorazione del legno, giardinaggio e pet-care con animali da fattoria. L’obiettivo ultimo è favorire l’inclusione all’interno della società, promuovendo l’autonomia e l’autorealizzazione della persona con disabilità. Ci piacerebbe che questi numerosi progetti potessero crescere sempre più, al fine di poter supportare, incoraggiare e rendere noto a quante più persone possibili il loro costante impegno, nonostante le difficoltà.

The collaborative experience between Howden Pordenone and the Fondazione Opera Sacra Famiglia, specifically with the semi-residential service for people with disabilities, began with the 2024 Christmas market and continued with the support of the "Bread and More" project. We had the opportunity to meet the young people who attend the service and the staff, with whom they perform various activities every day. We are supporting them in our own small way, but given the invaluable work they all do, we would like to thank and reward them with this wonderful opportunity! The young people are engaged daily in sewing, baking, woodworking, gardening, and petting farm animals. The ultimate goal is to foster inclusion within society, promoting the independence and self-fulfilment of people with disabilities. We would like these numerous projects to continue to grow, so we can support, encourage, and publicize their unwavering commitment, despite the challenges, to as many people as possible.

Aim of charity
Food Bank For New York City works to end hunger and poverty across all five boroughs by providing meals, groceries, and financial empowerment programs to New Yorkers in need. In response to recent federal cuts to SNAP benefits, the Food bank is supporting over 1.8 million residents at risk of losing access to food assistance. Through its network of 800+ partner organizations, it distributes millions of meals each year and helps families apply for or restore vital benefits. Their mission goes beyond feeding people, they provide stability and hope to households facing financial hardship and food insecurity.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am nominating Food Bank For New York City because their mission speaks directly to the heart of my community. As someone who grew up in a SNAP household, I understand how vital food assistance is for a family's stability and peace of mind. With federal funding cuts putting over 1.8 million New Yorkers at risk of losing benefits right before the holidays, Food Bank for New York City is stepping up to ensure families do not go hungry during a time that should be filled with warmth and togetherness/ Their work provides more than meals, it restores dignity, uplifts communities, and remind every New Yorker that they are not alone/ Supporting this charity means giving hope, comfort, and compassion when it is needed most.

Aim of charity
Forest Holme Hospice Charity is proud to support the life-enhancing work of Forest Holme Hospice, part of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. Established on 26 April 1994, Friends of Forest Holme as it was known then, was set up to fundraise for the new specialist palliative care unit. Over the years the Charity has been committed to funding additional nursing staff for the inpatient ward, two counsellors to provide psychological support to patients and their families, a variety of complementary therapies, medical equipment and practical fixtures and fittings to make the Hospice a more homely environment. We help ensure that everyone in our community affected by life-limiting illness or bereavement, gets the care and support they need, either at home or in our dedicated hospice facility. NHS funding is limited, which is why we need to raise £1 million each year so that our team can deliver the highest level of care, when and where it counts.

Reason for nominating this charity
Provides Palliative Care in Poole and Surrounding areas, not only supporting the patient but their families that are affected. They provided excellent care for my Grandad and also a close family friend.

Aim of charity
Friends of Caritas Cubana is a 501 c 3 corporation based in Massachusetts. Since 1999 we have provided funding for services for the following vulnerable populations: the elderly, the sick, the disabled, children at risk and those who had loses due to hurricanes. We are Caritas Cuba's largest donor.

Reason for nominating this charity
Friends of Caritas Cubana supports the humanitarian work of Caritas Cuba, an organization dedicated to providing food, medicine, and essential care to vulnerable communities across Cuba. Their mission focuses on dignity, compassion, and service—offering critical support to the elderly, families in crisis, and those affected by natural disasters such as recent hurricanes.

Having been personally involved with this charity since 2002 and having witnessed its work firsthand in Cuba, I’ve seen how effectively it delivers aid and hope in communities with limited resources. In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the needs are greater than ever. Friends of Caritas Cubana is helping communities rebuild and recover, ensuring that those most affected receive vital assistance.

Their unwavering presence and commitment make them a deeply deserving organization for this recognition.

Aim of charity
FOPAS was organized in 1999 and was both incorporated as a Missouri Nonprofit Corporation and granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service in 2000. Until October 2006 there was no permanent shelter. Instead, FOPAS relied on volunteer foster homes, boarding facilities and 4 outside kennels provided by the City of Parkville for dogs and volunteer foster homes and a shed, also provided by the City of Parkville, for cats. From the first year’s success of 35 adoptions to 2012’s more than 400 adoptions, FOPAS has retained its focus of caring for and finding homes for abandoned animals. FOPAS provides food, shelter, foster homes when possible, and veterinarian services to each pet coming within our care. When adopted, all pets are spayed or neutered, up-to-date on all vaccinations, microchipped and tested or treated for heartworm. In addition, once a pet comes under the care of FOPAS it is a FOPAS pet for life, and the adopting families must commit to return the pet to FOPAS rather than turn it out or place it in another shelter should they decide to give it up later. FOPAS also seeks to find opportunities to educate the community on the obligations of responsible pet ownership and neutering of pets.The number of homeless dogs and cats seems to grow daily, perhaps mirroring the growth of the Northland. The services we provide cannot be postponed or neglected because of a shortage of funds and these services, and the cost thereof, increases as the number of animals increases.

Reason for nominating this charity
I adopted my dog from FOPAS, and they do incredible work helping so many dogs and cats in need. There are countless animals waiting for homes—some have been in the shelter for up to two years. Shelters like FOPAS are essential, providing care and safety until these dogs and cats can find the loving homes they deserve.

Aim of charity
A small charity run by a mother of a childhood cancer patient. Offering empathy and support with experience of the difficult situation that childhood cancer presents.
Family support and extended communities, for example schools and childs clubs.
Awareness raising via social media and local communities.

Reason for nominating this charity
I knew this family when they were going through this terrible time with their child and am so impressed with the way they are now raising awareness and helping other families in similiar situations. Small charities don't receive any funding at this would make a huge difference to them.

Aim of charity
Provide care and support for children

Reason for nominating this charity
My daughter and I both have Saethre Chotzen. As a result Lucy has attended GOSH throughout her life.
She has had multiple operations including, frontal re-orbital modelling on her head, Oculoplastic, grommets and will have an operation on her eye next year.
Over the years we have seen how fundraising has truly changed her experience. From improvements in the canteen, play areas, nurse support, ward improvement, parental assistance etc. We are incredibly fortunate to have received such optimal care so I would love to nominate them so they can keep on helping children with the best quality and care

Aim of charity
Happy Doggo is on a mission to fix the global street dog problem, through feeding, sterilisation, and critical medical care

Reason for nominating this charity
They save thousands of dogs from the streets each year, and get them adopted, treated for illnesses and injury, and started from absolutely nothing. I want them to succeed more than anything and they need donations constantly to help build their hospital

Aim of charity
The aims of the charity are to provide support and relief for children, young people (up to the age of 25 years) and their families who have been bereaved through the loss of a parent or sibling by: 1) Providing mentoring, emotional well-being support and advice through facilitated internal and partner agency support groups, provision of books, resources and via our website and social networking sites and, 2) Providing recreational and leisure activities to children and young people in order to improve their conditions of life and reduce the isolation felt during bereavement by facilitating contact with other children, young people and their families.

Reason for nominating this charity
This is a fantastic local charity based in Milton Keynes - Harry's parents set up the charity after Harry passed away very suddenly in 2009, only 5 years old, as a family they struggled to find the support they need especially for Harry's twin Jessica. Harry's rainbows was set up in 2011 to provide support for children and their families in and around Milton Keynes after bereavement which is such a difficult time especially for a child/young people. This charity is very clos

Aim of charity
HCA Hospice is Singapore’s largest home hospice care provider, dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Since 1989, HCA has provided compassionate, cost-free care regardless of age, background, or financial status. Beyond medical support, HCA offers psychosocial, emotional, and bereavement care to families, journeying with them through some of life’s most difficult moments. Their services span from paediatric to elder care, including Singapore’s only home hospice programme for children, Star PALS. Guided by dignity and compassion, HCA’s mission is to bring comfort, support, and meaningful moments to every life they touch. In the years ahead, HCA aims to deepen the quality of patient-centred and family-focused hospice care through targeted care and support models. By adopting robust research principles and practices, we endeavour to establish HCA’s thought and practice leadership in the home hospice space.

Reason for nominating this charity
HCA Hospice stands out not just for what they do, but how they do it - with grace, empathy, and unwavering dignity. Their work quietly transforms lives, offering comfort when it’s needed most. Besides the comfort for the patients in their final stages, HCA's work also gives families peace of mind, emotional support and the space to focus on love and connection, building memories during a deeply vulnerable time. We are nominating HCA because they remind us that even at life’s end, there is still so much life worth honouring, and that every person deserves to feel cared for, seen, and celebrated.

Aim of charity
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is the only UK charity to train dogs to alert deaf people to important sounds and danger signals that one may take for granted. These include life-saving fire and carbon monoxide alarms, the doorbell, alarm clock, text alerts and carrying messages person to person.

Yet deafness is more than just hearing loss. Hearing dogs also help to relieve the stress, isolation and loneliness that deafness often brings. A deaf person is twice as likely to have depression and someone with profound deafness is five times more at risk of dementia. Hearing dogs bring visibility to an invisible, and often misunderstood, disability. They give practical support, encourage social inclusion, and provide psychological benefits. A hearing dog can make a huge and positive difference to a deaf child's life.

Hearing Dogs receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of public donations. We are called daily by people needing to have the support and security a hearing dog provides, and have over 400 people being supported in the necessary 'matching' process. Our commitment extends to those waiting for a hearing dog and our current 1,100+ partnerships across the UK. We have created over 2,876 hearing dog partnerships in our time and hope that with your help we can make this 3,000 very soon. Your support will help us to reach out to the many more deaf adults and children wishing for the life-transforming changes a hearing dog can bring.

Reason for nominating this charity
As a child of a deaf parent, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People completely changed my life. My mother relied on her hearing dog for day to day living and emergency situations. This provided her with the abilty to work which gave her practical support, encouraged social inclusion and provided psychological benefits. My mothers ambition with the help from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, instilled a work ethic into me that has lead me to this job role.

Aim of charity
The objectives of the PTA are to organise fundraising events and activities where possible and make these as much fun as possible, to involve as many people as we can, and to access funding and grants on behalf of the school where applicable.

We hold a range of events with lots of different teams working with us to deliver them. We do these events to bring our community together, deliver a fun and engaging event to our families, whilst raising money for our children’s education.

Reason for nominating this charity
My children attend this school and the PTA works tirelessly to raise funds to benefit the local children and community. School budgets are incredibly stretched and they would be incredibly grateful for any additional funding.

Aim of charity
To provide support for those affected by cancer, care for the bereaved and give courage to young people learning to swim. They run weekly fitness classes for anyone affected by cancer, these classes are free to the user. They make periodic donations to the bereavement charity Cruse for training new and existing counsellors. They run intensive swimming interventions for primary school children who have not performed well in the provision provided by the school with an aim of ensuring that they are at least water safe.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 8 colleagues
Heidi’s Heroes is a charity close to many of our hearts, doing incredible work in Cheltenham and beyond. Founded in 2013 as a lasting tribute to Heidi Wood—a former world championship swimmer who sadly passed away from cancer in 2012 at the age of 51—the charity continues her legacy of strength and compassion. Heidi’s Heroes provides vital support to people affected by cancer and other serious illnesses, offering practical help and emotional care during life’s toughest challenges. Their work brings comfort, hope, and community to those who need it most, ensuring that Heidi’s spirit of resilience lives on through every life they touch.

Aim of charity
At Help for Heroes, we believe those who serve our country deserve support when they’re wounded. Every day, men and women have to leave their career in the Armed Forces as a result of physical or psychological wounds; their lives changed forever. We help them, and those still serving, to recover and get on with their lives. We give them physical, psychological, financial and welfare support for as long as they need it. We also support the families of wounded veterans, because they too can be affected by their loved one’s wounds. We receive almost no funding from the Government, which means we rely on the spirit and generosity of the great British public, our partners and volunteers to keep going. Rest assured, we continue to put pressure on the Government to do more. So far, with your help, we've supported more than 25,000 people, but we know that many more still need us. We won’t stop until every wounded veteran gets the support they deserve.

Reason for nominating this charity
To stand with those who served and make sure they and their families get the life-changing support they urgently need.   

Aim of charity
High Fives focuses on preventing life-changing injuries and provides resources and hope if they happen. All of the individuals that High Fives serves have survived a life-changing injury (i.e., one that impacts daily life, such as a spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), amputation, or other mobility-limiting injuries). Formed in 2009 as a way to pay it forward by the founder in gratitude for the support he received during his own recovery from a serious skiing accident, the foundation has improved the quality of life and independence of 1,011+ individuals and veterans from 47 states and territories and Canada since its inception in 2009.

Reason for nominating this charity
High Fives Foundation changes the lives of individuals who have faced life-changing injuries. Their vision is to create a universal shift in adventure sports that expands what is possible for those who have faced life-changing accidents or traumatic brain injuries. I have personally seen the impact that their foundation has in reframing life-altering injuries through a close family friend and was transformed by the personal support offered to someone so critically injured. After his incident, the organization told him: "Life will never be the same after this injury, but we will do everything in our power to make sure it's just as awesome." They not only provide experiences to get athletes back out in the world doing what they love through adaptive sports programs (including skiing, fishing, adventuring, mountain biking, surfing, and more), but they also provide resources like adaptive vehicles, local programming, rehabilitation services and other support to encourage recovery through community. The foundation expands what is possible for athletes who have physical disabilities resulting from life-altering accidents. They don't just provide meaningful support, they create community and empower hope as people make challenging transitions from life before to life after a life-altering incident, and are so deserving of this recognition and financial support.

Aim of charity
Our mission is to remove the obstacles to young refugees and asylum-seekers’ education and well-being through mentoring, advocacy, and financial support. Young people seeking sanctuary in the UK are determined to access education and make the most of their opportunities. At Hope for the Young, we are determined to support them in doing so. We understand that everyone has different backgrounds, needs, and aspirations for the future. We therefore pride ourselves in providing holistic and tailored one-to-one support that ensures young people can move towards their goals, regardless of their starting point. In 2023, 5,010 unaccompanied children arrived in the UK seeking safety. Coping with the aftermath of war, persecution, and bereavement, many have experienced traumatic events that make it hard to cope with day-to-day life. With 7 out of 10 people waiting over a year for a decision on their asylum claim and over 2,000 people waiting three years or more, this long period of uncertainty is devastating to young people’s physical, psychological, and social well-being. As a result, many suffer social exclusion and find it difficult to access the support they need to move forwards with their lives. Despite the complex challenges they have faced, it is education that remains their primary focus. Learning new skills and knowledge provides the hope of a better life and future prospects for them and their families. As one young person we work with said, “Education means hope to me. It shows that there can be a future.” However, many young people wishing to return to education encounter a series of obstacles when trying to enrol. When a young person wishing to rebuild their life is denied access to education and the personal support they need, it can quickly result in their dreams for the future fading away. Education is essential for enhancing job prospects, reducing poverty, improving health, and contributing to the UK’s economic growth. With limited ways for young people to utilise their skills, pursue their passions, or engage with their communities, it is not surprising that many young people’s mental health deteriorates as they find themselves isolated and disengaged from the society in which they belong. Hope for the Young’s work shows that it does not have to be this way.

Reason for nominating this charity
Your vote for Hope for the Young will give a young refugee a chance at a new life. People seeking asylum haven't chosen to leave everything and everyone behind, and arriving in the UK can be a very hard landing. It has been such a privilege to see the young woman I have been mentoring for over a year transform into an independent, optimistic, confident college student. She is now in college, well on her way to pursuing her dream career as a nurse, in permanent accommodation, a part-time job, and she has friends. Her courage and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity has made me feel ashamed, awestruck, and ultimately proud. When she received her first paycheque she asked me: "Does that mean I can give money to charity to help other people now?"

Aim of charity
Human Aid & Advocacy is an international NGO, supporting survivors of war and persecution through access to sustainable aid programmes, while addressing the real causes of conflict. Human Aid & Advocacy was officially founded in 2010, however those involved in the founding of the charity have been widely engaged in charitable efforts since 2004.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am nominating Human Aid UK because of their unwavering commitment to delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities across the globe. Their work is rooted in compassion, transparency, and impact—providing emergency relief, sustainable development, and advocacy for those most in need. Human Aid UK consistently demonstrates integrity and dedication, making a real difference in the lives of countless individuals.

Aim of charity
Too feed the people of Gaza as they are suffering right now and have been suffering for years

Reason for nominating this charity
I have very strong love for Gaza, it kills me too see what is happening there. This would mean a lot to me, as Ramadan fast approaching this would help thousand if not millions of people in Palestine. i would appreciate everyone's support. Thank you

Aim of charity
We help pay for the world’s most advanced insurance solutions to make them accessible to the most vulnerable, so they can plan, rebuild, recover and thrive. Humanity Insured funds insurance premiums for smallholder farmers, displaced people, coastal communities and informal workers- giving them a safety net against climate volatility and the confidence to shape their own futures.

Reason for nominating this charity
Humanity Insured uses the power of the insurance industry to alleviate poverty and build resilience for those most at risk. By funding insurance premiums for smallholder farmers, displaced people, coastal communities and informal workers, it provides a vital safety net against climate volatility- giving people the confidence to shape their own futures. The idea for Humanity Insured came from Howden, who brought the insurance industry together to support this mission. Today, Howden is a Founding Donor and incubates Humanity Insured, helping deliver stability and security to those most vulnerable. Vote for Humanity Insured to give the stability and security of insurance to those who need it most.

Aim of charity
To help people living with Huntington’s disease to live a better life. The charity helps to improve care and support services for people with Huntington’s disease, educate families and professionals, and champion people’s rights.

Huntington's is an uncurable hereditary disease, which resembles a combination of dementia, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease. The first symptoms of Huntington's disease tend to appear in a patient's early 30s or 40s and is typically fatal within two decades.


Reason for nominating this charity
Being a hereditary disease, Huntington's devastates families - my grandfather, mother and sister all had/have the 'faulty' gene which causes Huntington's disease. The HDA provide invaluable support for families dealing with the impacts of the disease, and helps them to navigate a complex web of support services which often fail to fully understand this little-known disease and its effects.

For families affected by Huntington's disease, there was amazing news earlier this year (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cevz13xkxpro) when it was announced that the disease was successfully treated in a medical trial for the first time, slowing the progression of the disease in patients by 75%. This new treatment will now go through regulatory reviews for approval, before hopefully being made available to patients in the next few years.

However, this new treatment (which involves a highly complex surgery) is expected to be very expensive, and whilst we wait for this new treatment to become available, the HDA will be working tireless to advocate for the treatment to be made accessible to anyone who needs it in the UK. The next few years could be life changing for families affected by Huntington's disease, and the HDA will be at the forefront of seeking to ensure that all patients can receive this treatment.

Aim of charity
The IFoA Foundation is the charity of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, working with the global actuarial community for positive social impact. Since 2020 we have empowered over 300 aspiring actuaries to join the profession, awarded over 80 scholarships and 100 prizes for excellence in actuarial study and research and engaged over 20,000 school pupils through lively initiatives promoting maths, financial education and actuarial careers.

Reason for nominating this charity
The actuarial profession offers stimulating and important work, while also providing a good living. It is one of the most meritocratic professions as, ultimately, you need to be able to have the ability ‘do the sums’. The IFoA Foundation helps open the profession to people from the broadest range of background in both the UK and overseas – this benefits the individuals, the profession and society at large through the work that actuaries do.

Aim of charity
Sostenimiento de las actividades de la ONG, educación infantil y primaria, comida y vestuario. Ayuda para niños de educación especial. Club de futbol para jovenes, talleres de alfabetización para mayores y jóvenes, talleres de costura, agricultura.

Reason for nominating this charity
Es una ONG que se financia sólo de las aportaciones de empresas y particulares, sin ayuda de ninguna organización pública ni subvención. Todos los ingresos van directamente a las actividades programadas. Está dirigido por un equipo de personas que dan altruistamente su tiempo, dinero y esfuerzo en mantener esta escuela que junto con voluntarios hacen el proyecto posible y actualmente con mucho éxito.

Aim of charity
The charity’s mission is to bring comfort, companionship, and emotional support to individuals in nursing homes and various other care centres across Ireland, especially where residents may not be able to have pets of their own. Through regular visits from volunteers and their dogs, the charity fosters meaningful connections that brighten lives and promote wellbeing.

Reason for nominating this charity
I had the privilege of volunteering with this incredible dog therapy charity for many years, visiting a local nursing home each week with my Golden Retriever, Sandy. The joy and comfort Sandy brought to the residents was truly heartwarming, smiles would light up their faces the moment she walked through the door. Dogs have a unique ability to connect with people, offering warmth, companionship, and unconditional love. Across Ireland, these weekly visits are eagerly anticipated by residents, patients, staff, and visitors alike. The presence of the therapy dogs lifts spirits in a way that’s instantly visible and deeply felt. The emotional boost they provide lingers long after the visit ends, making a lasting difference in the lives of those they meet.

Aim of charity
When persons go missing within our rivers, canals, lakes or around our coasts they go beyond the reach of the public and require specialist equipment and personnel to bring them home, the IUSRU is made up of a dedicated team of volunteers who's objective is to search for missing people underwater and recover them for their families and friends so they can be given a dignified resting place. The IUSRU was formed in January 2012 to provide a professional, dedicated and highly trained service that could carry out the task of recovering missing persons with compassion and sensitivity. In 2014 there were 114 recorded deaths through drowning in Ireland which is an improvment on 2013 with 123 deaths recorded*. The IUSRU will continue to supply this much needed service to the citizens of Ireland to ensure closure can be brought to the families of the missing.

Reason for nominating this charity
We are a 100% voluntary organization dedicated to providing underwater search and recovery services across Ireland. We receive no government funding and rely entirely on voluntary donations to support our mission. We need all the support and funding we can get to keep our wonderful charity running and helping those who need us to bring closure, support & to bring their loved ones home. I myself am a part of this charity almost 10 years. My friend was running a charity night for them in one of our local pubs and asked me to help. I got speaking to Eugene Kierans (Founding Member & Chairman) and a couple of others and they told me all about what they do and I could not get over the work they do. They invited me out on the boats and I have been there ever since. I am now a trained coxswain and sonar technician.

Aim of charity
We believe death by suicide is preventable. Yet, in the UK in 2018, 6,507 people died by suicide of which three-quarters were men. Suicide is still the single leading cause of death of men under 50. At James’ Place, we want to make sure that help is available for every man facing a suicidal crisis and support them to find hope for the future. We work with health partners to deliver a service to men whose needs have not been met by traditional services. James’ Place was founded by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley, following the tragic loss of their son, James. Ten days after a minor operation, James took his own life. He went looking for someone to talk to about his suicidal thoughts but didn’t find the urgent help he so desperately needed. James’ Place opened its first centre in 2018 in Liverpool and is currently piloting an online service in London for residents of Hackney before opening their second centre in 2020.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 16 colleagues
James’ Place is a charity that provides life-saving support for men in suicidal crisis. This cause is deeply personal to many of us following the tragic loss of a dear friend and colleague. Their work focuses on offering immediate, practical, and emotional help to men who are at risk, in a safe and non-clinical environment where they feel heard and understood.

James’ Place exists to prevent other families, friends, and workplaces from experiencing the heartbreak of losing someone to suicide. By providing early intervention and compassionate care, they give men hope and a path forward during their darkest moments. Supporting this charity means helping to save lives and create a future where no one feels they have to face such a crisis alone.

Aim of charity
Joseph was only 3 Years old when he lost his fight to Neuroblastoma. He was diagnosed in April 2021 and sadly lost his battle to cancer in December 2021. Throughout the ordeal, his strength and courage was truly remarkable and no matter what, Joseph kept on smiling with that big beautiful smile of his. It was his smile and courageous personality that’s what kept the family going, even through their darkest hours. But on top of dealing with Joseph’s diagnosis and his NHS treatment, the family had to endure a strenuous task of raising £300,000 to get Joseph extra treatment in New York that was not available on the NHS. This treatment was a trial and it was going to help Joseph keep the Neuroblastoma cells from returning. Unfortunately, the cancer returned before Joseph could even access this treatment and the family had to come to terms with the devastating and unimaginable loss. The fundraising took away so many precious moments that could have been spent together, the pressures and burden of raising so much money to save your child is indescribable. However, even now, knowing what their future was, the family still would have continued to fundraise, because they knew that fundraising for that treatment could have helped save their precious boy. They only had one regret, they wished the fundraising didn’t take so much time away from their family life together, something that can now never be returned. In Joseph’s legacy, the family started the charity ‘Joseph’s Smile’. The charities aim is to make sure that no other family endures the same fundraising burden and pressures as they suffered, so that ultimately, families can spend that precious quality time together. The charity intends to help families raise the essential funds that they need and to offer specialised support along the way. Together, with your help, children will be able to continue their fight through the help of Joseph’s Smile.

Reason for nominating this charity
I met the founders of the charity (Josephs Mother and Aunty) in March 2025 and I found their work and their strength incredible after going through their loss. I instantly knew I had to support them and at the time I had a ballot place for the New York marathon. New York meant so much to them as this is where Joseph would have gone for treatment if he had surveyed the chemo. Josephs Smile is a local charity who now help many families raise funds for treatment for all conditions not just cancer. They have helped children raise fund for wheelchairs etc. The charity is so important to the South Wales community. I am hoping we can raise as much support as possible. These smaller charities do not get the support that the larger charities receive. I personally am now doing all I can to help the charity such as having them be the charity for the local CII committee and running more marathons for them.

Aim of charity
Keep Scotland Beautiful is your charity for Scotland’s environment. We campaign, act and educate on a range of local, national and global issues to change behaviour and improve the quality of people’s lives and the places they care for. Through our work we aim to help people to change the way they think about the environment and encourage them to take action to improve and protect it. Our goal is to make Scotland a cleaner, greener and more sustainable place to live, work and visit.

Reason for nominating this charity
Keep Scotland Beautiful is a great charity and organisation that works tirelessly towards it stated goals above. The Howden Scotland Exec team did a volunteer day for them recently helping clean the Clyde in Glasgow at Govan. We have also recently picked them up as a valued client of Howden. A donation from this excellent initiative would be an amazing thing for them to receive.

Aim of charity
The aim of kidney care UK is to support people living with kidney disease across the UK. Their mission focuses on:
Providing practical and emotional support to kidney patients and their families.
Improving quality of life through advocacy, financial aid, counselling, and patient grants.
Raising awareness about kidney health and the challenges faced by those with kidney disease.
Campaigning for better care and access to treatments, including dialysis and transplantation.
Offering information and resources to help patients manage their condition and navigate the healthcare system.

Reason for nominating this charity
I’m nominating Kidney Care UK because they provided invaluable support to my brother during his kidney transplant journey. Their guidance, resources, and emotional care made a difficult time more manageable for our whole family. This charity truly makes a difference in the lives of those affected by kidney disease, and I want to honour their impact by helping raise awareness and support for their work.

Aim of charity
Kidney Research UK is the leading national charity dedicated to research that will lead to better treatments and cures for kidney disease. We have been at the forefront of kidney research for over fifty years. The lives of 3 million people are at risk as a result of moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. Kidney Research UK funds vital research into the causes of kidney disease, prevention and better treatments. As a result of our research, we are striving to make transplanted kidneys work better and last longer, improve the quality of life for patients on dialysis, discover new treatments to manage kidney disease and ultimately find a cure for kidney disease.

Reason for nominating this charity
My husband underwent a kidney transplant, and witnessing the expertise of the doctors, the advanced technology, and the incredible progress in medical science was truly awe-inspiring. It’s nothing short of life-changing and a testament to how far research and innovation have come.

Aim of charity
1.75 billion children live in countries without access to safe or timely surgery. More children die from surgically curable conditions than HIV, Malaria and TB combined. Put simply, millions of children face needless death and disability every year. Surgical care is among the most long-term, cost-effective public health solutions, yet it has been largely neglected by global health interventions. All children deserve safe surgery. No access to surgery can mean no childhood. It means no school, no education, no play, no fun. For so many illnesses, it means no cure.
Kids Operating Room is the only charity focused entirely on solving this glaring gap in global health. We bring essential care to millions of children; saving and transforming lives, averting disability and planting the necessary seeds to allow sustainable surgical services to grow. By delivering high-quality infrastructure and providing safe surgical services in low-and-middle-income countries we look towards a world where every child has access to safe surgery. Since 2018, Kids Operating Room has moved at pace to deliver close to 80 Operating Rooms in 24 countries. That means in the space of five short years we have provided the facilities, delivered the tools and, in many cases, trained the teams that have gone on to provide 100,000 operations. Together, those operations represent a model that has saved children’s lives, averted needless pain and prevented an estimated 1,700,000 years of disability.

Reason for nominating this charity
Howden Scotland have been closely linked to KidsOR for a few years - initially as a client of ours doing amazing things sending highly sophisticated operating equipment to really disadvantaged areas round the world to do life saving and changing operations on people who have no immediate access to hospitals. We have sponsored a Howden operating room in Zambia over the last few years - genuinely life changing for the locals- and something the Howden Scotland team are super proud of. Would be great to see if this amazing Howden initiative could help them a little with one of the donations

Aim of charity
Kythe is a non-profit, non-stock organization aimed towards improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illnesses.

Reason for nominating this charity
I would like to nominate Kythe Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization in the Philippines that supports children with cancer and chronic illnesses in government hospitals through play therapy and emotional care. As a mother of two (2) healthy boys, I can't imagine my children going through such pain. That's why I've been quietly supporting Kythe whenever I can. To help them bring comfort and hope to kids who are bravely fighting their battles. Supporting Kythe through the Howden Foundation would allow us to extend that care and positivity to even more children in need.

Aim of charity
LAM Action is the UK charity for those with LAM, their families, and doctors caring for them.
LAM is a rare multi-system disease, diagnosed mainly in women of childbearing age. It predominantly affects the lungs, where it causes excessive growth of smooth muscle cells which progressively destroy lung tissue and erode lung function. Although research is ongoing, currently there is no cure for LAM and effective treatment is limited. For some, lung transplantation is their only means of survival.

LAM Action has two primary aims:
1. To provide information and emotional support for those with LAM and their families
2. To educate health professionals about LAM and advance research into LAM.


Reason for nominating this charity
My mum has suffered with this disease since 2002, she has never smoked and was fit and healthy before her diagnosis. She very much raised me and my brother on her own and never showed any signs of struggling with poor health. Whilst she struggles massively with day to day activity's, she's always made sure my childhood never suffered because of it. She has one of the rarest diseases in the world, and has reacted to constant testing of drugs in an even rarer way. She is one of the handful who has reacted positively to new drugs which has meant she has smashed the expected life expectancy of the 10 years that she was given when she was first diagnosed.

Aim of charity
To give children in Wandsworth the opportunity to become confident, enthusiastic readers by:
*Introducing toddlers to early literacy skills
*supporting young readers in schools
*Encouraging and equipping parents to engage with their children’s reading at home

Reason for nominating this charity
Partnering with Learn to Love to Read felt like a natural and meaningful choice. Their mission to ensure every child becomes a confident reader resonates deeply with our values. We believe in the power of books to open minds, spark imagination, and build brighter futures and this charity embodies that belief in everything they do.

Their support has helped us turn our book exchange into a permanent fixture at our branch, creating a space where stories are shared and a love of reading is nurtured. Together, we’re working towards a common goal: inspiring young readers and supporting early literacy in our community. We’re proud to champion their work and help spread the joy of reading to every child.

Aim of charity
Church Riverside Scout Group exists to inspire and equip young people with the skills, confidence, and values they need for life. Through adventure, teamwork, and service, we help children and teenagers aged 4 to 16 develop resilience, leadership, and compassion. Our group provides affordable, inclusive, and community-focused activities that build friendships, encourage healthy living, and strengthen mental wellbeing.

Operating in Leighton Buzzard since 1965, the group has been a cornerstone of local youth development, supported entirely by volunteers. Our programmes include camping, canoeing, community volunteering, and skills training such as first aid and map reading. We welcome all backgrounds and promote equality, kindness, and environmental awareness through outdoor learning.

In September 2024, our riverside Scout hut was severely damaged by flooding from Clipstone Brook. The Beyond the Flood rebuild project aims to construct a new, flood-resilient, sustainable building that will serve both scouting and the wider community for generations to come. The new hut will feature inclusive access, renewable energy through solar panels, and a multipurpose space for community groups and local events.

This project embodies our wider charitable aim: to create a safe, inclusive environment where young people and the community can come together, learn, and thrive beyond the flood.

Reason for nominating this charity
Church Riverside Scout Group is being nominated in recognition of its resilience, community spirit, and determination to rebuild the hut - a vital community facility after devastating flood damage. Following the September 2024 flooding of Clipstone Brook, which rendered the original wooden Scout hut unusable, the group has worked tirelessly to plan, fund, and deliver a new, flood-resilient home for local scouting.

Entirely volunteer-led, the team has successfully raised over £270,000 through grants, insurance settlements, and community fundraising events. The project will create an inclusive, sustainable hub powered by solar energy, providing safe, accessible space not only for Scouts, Cubs, and Beavers but also for local groups and families.

However, the project now faces a small financial shortfall due to unforeseen and unbudgeted planning requirements introduced by Central Bedfordshire Council. The planning team mandated the installation of a specialist sloped sub-base beneath the new structure to allow water runoff and ensure future flood resilience. While essential for long-term protection, this requirement added several thousand pounds to the build cost and pushed the project beyond its approved budget. We are fundraising to cover the funding deficit of £8,668 to cover the cost of this sub-base.

Despite these challenges, the trustees remain committed to completing the rebuild, ensuring that generations of young people continue to have a safe, inspiring place to learn, grow, and serve their community.

Aim of charity
Since its founding in 1948, LILT has been a pillar of cancer prevention in Italy, leading initiatives across four key areas: Primary Prevention, Oncological Diagnosis and Rehabilitation, Patient Support, and Cancer Research. In the past year alone, LILT delivered healthcare services to over 76,000 patients and provided dedicated support to more than 2,700 individuals battling cancer.

Reason for nominating this charity
DUAL Italia has proudly partnered with LILT since 2011, witnessing firsthand the extraordinary impact of its work, especially for children facing cancer. Over the years, we have seen how LILT’s mission transforms lives and inspires action. Today, that commitment resonates deeply within our team: employees actively participate in fundraising events such as Milano Marathon and Pigiama Run, contribute through office donation corners, and volunteer their time with LILT. We also promote awareness through webinars and offer free early diagnosis visits in collaboration with LILT. Together, we share one goal: to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer.

Aim of charity
Lingen Davies Cancer Fund is the main cancer charity dedicated to supporting the people of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Mid-Wales as they deal with the impact of cancer on their lives.

Lingen Davies was originally launched in 1979 by then Mayor of Shrewsbury Bernard Lingen and local accountant Frank Davies, to build and equip a new radiotherapy department at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Since this establishment, the charity has grown to deliver services, equipment, technology, staff, and cancer support to the wider community.

Over the years an entire new Cancer Centre has been created on the site, including state of the art facilities and treatment to benefit cancer patients throughout the community.

The charity exists to enhance and improve the situation for local cancer patients. We cannot eradicate cancer, but we can make life easier for those who are going through it, or watching loved ones go through it.

Reason for nominating this charity
I nominate Lingen Davies Cancer Fund for their outstanding commitment to improving cancer care and patient support. Their tireless efforts in funding vital equipment, services, and community initiatives have made a tangible difference to thousands of lives, aligning perfectly with Howden’s values of making a positive impact in the communities we serve.

Aim of charity
Little Acorns is a UK registered charity, helping to transform the lives of those less fortunate than us, with a specific focus in Cambodia. Our aim is to provide financial support to enhance the educational opportunities of Cambodian children, right through to higher education and entering the workplace. Little Acorns will focus on supporting children who reside at a care centre / orphanage or helping those families who are experiencing financial hardship and therefore at risk of being separated. Our focus so far has been to support the Future Light Organization (FLO). FLO’s needs align with our own objectives enabling us to support their day to day running costs including food, electricity, fire wood, medical / hygiene supplies. This close relationship enables us to witness first-hand that funds raised are not wasted. Please refer to the “Our Achievements” section for further detail of our work so far. We will, at all times, be diligent in our assessment in providing grants to ensure that all donations are put to the best use. All donors will be kept up to date with the progress of the projects they support.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 3 colleagues
Little Acorns is a charity founded and run by Matt Baker, a former Howden colleague who has dedicated his life to supporting vulnerable and orphaned children in Cambodia. Their primary focus is the Future Light Organisation (FLO), an orphanage that provides safety, education, and hope to hundreds of disadvantaged children.
For over a decade, Matt has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for FLO, visiting regularly and building strong connections with the community. Recently, Howden hosted a webinar with FLO’s founder, who shared his powerful story of survival during the Pol Pot regime, a reminder of the resilience and courage behind this organisation.
In addition to the ongoing challenge of covering FLO’s running costs, Little Acorns is also raising funds for new school uniforms, sports equipment, mattresses, mosquito nets and stationery for the 68 children in FLO's care. One of our colleagues will soon be welcoming FLO students into their home and arranging work-experience in our Singapore office, which will help broaden their horizons and inspire hope. Supporting Little Acorns means helping to break cycles of poverty and hardship, and giving children the chance to dream, learn and thrive.

Aim of charity
Recognised today as one of the finest orchestras on the international stage, the London Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1932 by Sir Thomas Beecham. Since then, its Principal Conductors have included Sir Adrian Boult, Bernard Haitink, Sir Georg Solti, Klaus Tennstedt and Kurt Masur. In 2007 Vladimir Jurowski became the Orchestra’s Principal Conductor. The London Philharmonic Orchestra has been performing at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall since it opened in 1951, becoming Resident Orchestra in 1992. It also has flourishing residencies in Brighton and Eastbourne, and performs regularly around the UK. Each summer it plays for Glyndebourne Festival Opera, where it has been Resident Symphony Orchestra for over 50 years. The Orchestra also regularly tours abroad: highlights of the 2016/17 season include visits to New York, Germany, Hungary, Spain, France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Switzerland. In summer 2012 the London Philharmonic Orchestra performed as part of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames, and was also chosen to record all the world’s national anthems for the London 2012 Olympics.

Reason for nominating this charity
The LPO runs wide-ranging education and community programs to share music with the broadest possible audience, including projects for schools, young people, families, and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Aim of charity
Macmillan do whatever they can to help everyone living with cancer across the UK get the support they need right now and transform cancer care for everyone who will be diagnosed in the future.

Reason for nominating this charity
I’m nominating Macmillan because this charity is very close to my heart. Several members of my family have been diagnosed with cancer, and sadly, some of them have passed away. During those incredibly difficult times, Macmillan provided vital support, not just to those undergoing treatment, but to our whole family.
One experience that stands out is the care and compassion Macmillan showed to my young cousin, who we tragically lost. Their support made a real difference during an overwhelming time, offering comfort, guidance, and practical help. This includes services such as will writing, access to information pharmacists, beauty advisors who help people feel more like themselves during treatment, and an online support service that connects people with others going through similar experiences.
Macmillan’s work goes far beyond medical care, they help people feel less alone, and they bring dignity and humanity to situations that can feel isolating and uncertain. I’ve also personally fundraised for Macmillan in the past, through coffee mornings, birthday GoFundMe campaigns, and a sponsored marathon relay. Supporting them through a workplace donation would mean a lot to me, and I know it would help them continue their incredible work for others facing similar challenges.

Aim of charity
We raise funds for women's rugby education so to foster and build young women's confidence and self-belief through the values of the rugby community. We focus on the standards of teamwork, mutual support and fellowship to help young women harness their own boldness and resilience. We are Maddy’s Mark, a charity set up in Maddy Lawrence's name. Throughout her brief life, Maddy believed fervently in teamwork, mutual support, and fellowship, which of course are the values of the women’s rugby community. In her memory, we continue her fight through Maddy’s Mark. We offer a platform for girls to find that accepting place where their uniqueness can be supported and embraced. The physical benefits of sport are clear, but the mental benefits of belonging to a team, being relied upon, having a role to play seem even more profound. Rugby is such a special sport for young girls with teams not just accepting but needing so many different body types and characters; it provides a world free of stereotypes and expectations that social media places on youngsters today, it is a place where you belong, where your shape, size, skills, strengths can be celebrated. We want to offer this opportunity to those who would not normally be exposed to rugby or have the means to participate.

Reason for nominating this charity
To offer a platform for girls to find that accepting place where their uniqueness can be supported and embraced. The physical benefits of sport are clear, but the mental benefits of belonging to a team, being relied upon, having a role to play seem even more profound. Rugby is such a special sport for young girls with teams not just accepting but needing so many different body types and characters; it provides a world free of stereotypes and expectations that social media places on youngsters today, it is a place where you belong, where your shape, size, skills, strengths can be celebrated. We want to offer this opportunity to those who would not normally be exposed to rugby or have the means to participate. Maddy's Mark work with young women/girls through sport/rugby to help them to achieve the best they can by utilizing the lessons learned through sport to help them in the wider world and increase their confidence

Aim of charity
MAG saves lives and builds futures by clearing landmines and unexploded bombs, by reducing risk and by supporting improved management of weapons and ammunition to create secure conditions for development. MAG helps millions of people affected by armed violence and conflict in Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia. We remove and destroy landmines and unexploded bombs, which kill and maim thousands of innocent people each year. Nearly half of casualties are aged 18: we are determined to get to the problems before children do. Millions of people are trapped in danger and poverty by mines and unexploded bombs, often for decades after wars end. Every day we save lives, remove fear, and enable communities to use farmland, access water sources and carry out infrastructure projects in safety. New conflicts are putting even more people in immediate danger. Forced to flee the fighting, they take refuge in unfamiliar places which themselves have a legacy of conflict and are still scattered with landmines and unexploded bombs. On returning home, they face further problems - from the bombs that have failed to function, improvised mines and booby-traps that lie in the rubble of destroyed homes, hospitals and schools. MAG also cuts up weapons to stop them from falling into the wrong hands, and helps to prevent the ammunition depot explosions that cost thousands of lives every year.

Reason for nominating this charity
Now more than ever, as global conflict is on the rise, the work that MAG do is extremely important to prevent further loss of life and destruction. MAG also aim to reinstate people in country, so that they can grow their own crops following destruction from bombings. MAGs values seem to align with those of Howden: DETERMINED We work with purpose, EXPERT Through excellence and expertise we build trust, INTEGRITY We strive to do the right thing, COMPASSION People come first in everything we do, INCLUSIVE We are inclusive and we value diversity.

Aim of charity
Maggie’s Centres provide practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends, following the ideas about cancer care originally laid out by Maggie Keswick Jencks. Maggie lived with advanced cancer for two years and during that time she used her knowledge and experience to create a blueprint for a new type of care for anyone affected by cancer. She saw the need for a warm and welcoming place that would be a refuge from the stress of the hospital; somewhere with professional experts on hand to help with information and advice; a place where you can be with people who understand what you’re going through or a place to simply gather your thoughts. The first Maggie’s Centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996 and since then Maggie’s has continued to grow, with Centres at 16 major NHS cancer hospitals in the UK, as well as online and overseas.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 5 colleagues
Across these nominations, the impact of Maggie’s is deeply personal and profound. One employee shared how attending workshops during their own cancer journey helped them through the most difficult time and left them forever grateful. Another spoke of wanting to raise awareness after taking part in the Night Hike, inspired by loved ones and friends currently fighting cancer. Others described how Maggie’s provided emotional and practical support during ongoing treatment, offering counselling, guidance, and a safe space when it was needed most. Families highlighted that Maggie’s continues to be there even after treatment ends, and praised their help with financial advice to navigate the challenges of serious illness. Maggie’s Centres create hope, strength, and community for those facing cancer. Supporting them means enabling this vital work to continue for more individuals and families who need it most.

Aim of charity
Make-A-Wish UK is part of a global movement that was established in the UK in 1986 to create life-changing wishes that revive the childhood that critical illness often takes away. Right now, more than 60,000 children in the UK have been diagnosed with a critical condition, changing their lives and the lives of their families forever. For them, the joy of childhood is brought to an abrupt end with treatment plans, appointments and worry taking over. The power of a wish revives a childhood stolen by critical illness. It brings light and joy to children and their loved ones, leaving a profound and lasting impact on all their lives.  But Make-A-Wish UK can’t be that light for everyone. It takes a community of volunteers, supporters and donors to help these children feel like children again. Together, we have the power to light up the darkness. 

Reason for nominating this charity
I would like to nominate Make-A-Wish UK as a charity for our shortlist because of the deeply personal and transformative impact they’ve had on my family. They made my daughter’s dream come true by arranging a magical visit to Disney UK, where she was treated like a princess for the entire weekend. It was a truly special time for us — not just because of the joy it brought her, but because it gave our whole family a rare moment to breathe, connect, and simply enjoy being together away from the constant cycle of hospital visits, medical appointments, and treatments.
What makes Make-A-Wish UK so remarkable is the wide range of wishes they offer. From meeting celebrities and going on adventures, to receiving special gifts or experiencing unforgettable days out, they tailor each wish to the child’s unique dream. These experiences bring joy, hope, and lasting memories to children and their families during some of the most challenging times in their lives. During our wish weekend, we also witnessed many other families experiencing the same joy and relief — a temporary escape from the challenges of serious illness. Make-A-Wish UK doesn’t just grant wishes; they create lasting memories and moments of hope for children and families who need it most. Supporting them would mean helping more children experience that same magic and emotional healing.

Aim of charity
Many Tears' mission is to offer a safe haven to any dog in need of help and a safe place to stay no matter where it has come from. They will stay in our care, no matter how long that may be, until a wonderful forever home is found and takes them home. As well as dogs who are surrendered to us from homes, this includes those who have been abandoned, neglected and mistreated. We work tirelessly to ensure each arrival is treated with the respect it deserves and ensure it receives whatever medical and rehabilitation care it needs. At Many Tears we absolutely believe that every animal deserves to be treated with respect, love and kindness. They should be able to live free from pain, fear and distress of any kind and from the moment they enter our gates that this is what we do for them. For many of the dogs who arrive here this is very often the first time they have ever experienced gentle hands and loving hearts and our dedicated staff and volunteers do everything they can to start to help them believe that the world can be a good place and that they are loved. Although we are primarily a dog rescue, our promise to every animal who comes through our doors is that they will get all the love, care and attention they deserve and that this is their first stepping stone to their new life. Many Tears will never put an animal to sleep unless we are absolutely compelled to due to a significant medical reason.

Reason for nominating this charity
Many Tears are an amazing charity that give animals a second chance at happiness. This rescue work tirelessly to support and help animals find a loving home, and as an animal lover, I would love to see them provided with support to help even more animals get that second chance.

Aim of charity
The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

Reason for nominating this charity
Some of my best memories as a kid are waiting for Santa to come, waking up Christmas morning to wrapped presents and then showing off whatever new toy I got that year to my friends at school.

Every kid, no matter how grand or small the gift is, deserves to have that same feeling to look forward to every Christmas.

Aim of charity
MAP's vision is a future where all Palestinians can access an effective, sustainable and locally-led system of healthcare and the full realisation of their rights to health and dignity. MAP's programmes provide access to essential health services and build local knowledge and skills to address local health problems. In times of humanitarian emergency, they are ready to respond rapidly with aid and assistance. MAP is also committed to bearing witness to the injustices caused by occupation, displacement and conflict. They speak out in the UK and internationally to ensure the political and social barriers to Palestinian health and dignity are addressed.

Reason for nominating this charity
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) deserves this award for its unwavering commitment to delivering life-saving healthcare and humanitarian support to vulnerable communities in Palestine. In the face of immense challenges, MAP consistently upholds the principles of dignity, equity, and compassion, providing essential medical services, advocating for human rights, and empowering local health workers. Their work not only saves lives but also restores hope in some of the most difficult circumstances.

Aim of charity
We provide a powerful, united voice for individuals, families, communities, experts and professionals who know just how devastating meningitis (and septicaemia) can be. We save lives by funding research into vaccines and prevention. We reduce the impact of the disease by raising awareness, empowering people with the knowledge and information they need to get urgent medical attention if they suspect meningitis. We rebuild futures by providing dedicated support to people living with the impact of meningitis. We raise the funds we need to deliver our vision, inspired by the individuals and families at the heart of our organisation. Our vision is a future where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Reason for nominating this charity
I would love for this charity to be considered for a nomination because its work truly saves lives and supports families through unimaginable circumstances. Meningitis is a disease that can strike without warning and cause catastrophic outcomes. In my own life, I experienced the impact of this first hand. At 26, I was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease, whilst my son was one. I was then placed on the organ donor transplant list, which as much as you are hopeful for a second chance at life, you are acutely aware of what getting that call means for another family. It means they will lose a loved one. When that call finally came, it was because a young woman had tragically lost her life to meningitis on her 20th birthday.

Her name was Mia. She was vibrant, loved Elvis Presley, and had a heart full of kindness. She had chosen to be an organ donor, and because of that decision, I was given a second chance at life. I promised her family that I would do everything I could to raise awareness about meningitis and the importance of organ donation. This year, I walked my four-year-old to school—something I never thought possible. That moment was only possible because of Mia’s incredible gift.

Mia didn’t just give me life; she brought me back to life. I will be forever grateful, and I want others to understand how vital these conversations are. Organ donation is rarely talked about, but I urge everyone to discuss their wishes with loved ones. In the worst moments, that decision can turn tragedy into hope and give the gift of life. Supporting this charity means honouring donors like Mia and helping prevent meningitis from devastating more families.

Aim of charity
Mercy Ships is an international non-profit organization that provides free medical and surgical care to people in developing countries through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Its mission is to transform lives and communities by delivering essential surgeries, training local healthcare professionals, and strengthening healthcare systems for sustainable impact.
Bringing hope and healing to those without access to safe, essential surgery.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am nominating Mercy Ships because their work creates real, life-changing impact: every surgery restores hope and dignity to individuals who would otherwise have no access to medical care. Beyond immediate treatment, Mercy Ships invests in training and infrastructure, ensuring long-term improvements in local healthcare. Voting for Mercy Ships means supporting a cause that saves lives, reduces health inequalities, and builds a healthier future for thousands of people.

Aim of charity
Mind fight for change. They support people with mental health problems with information and support to make sure people living with mental health problems find the help they need. They want mental health to be taken seriously by the government and by people who run services. To make this happen we need to speak up and challenge those in power and campaign for a better future for everyone. They share real experiences and bring people together to fight for mental health. They tackle the mental health stigma with campaigns and yearly reports.

Reason for nominating this charity
It is becoming more and more common for people to be battling with their mental health every day. This charity supports those in need but also raises awareness and removes stigma from the topic of mental health. In the UK, it is believe that over 100 people die from suicide every week with a larger portion of those being men. This figure is scarily growing year on year.
Mental health isn't something that has a 'cure' but this charity allows people to receive the support they so desperately need just to live their daily lives.

Aim of charity
We improve care and support for people with Motor Neurone Disease, their families and carers, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We also fund and promote research into finding a cure, and campaign and raise awareness so the needs of those affected by the disease are addressed by wider society. We are so determined to achieve our vision of a world free from MND

Reason for nominating this charity
I am nominating the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) because this cause is deeply personal to me. My Grandad was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease before I was born, and although I only had three years with him, I am grateful that we met and shared that time together. I never truly got to know the great man he was, and that is something I will always wish I had.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a rare, progressive neurological condition that attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, gradually stopping them from sending signals to the muscles. This means people lose the ability to walk, talk, swallow and eventually breathe, while their mind often remains unaffected. It is a cruel disease with no cure and very limited treatment options to slow its progression. Most people diagnosed live only 2–5 years, and the impact on families is devastating.

Around 1 in 300 people will develop MND in their lifetime, and at any given time, about 5,000 people in the UK are living with the condition. Organisations like MNDA provide vital support for those affected and fund research to find effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

No one should have to endure what my Grandad and so many others have faced. For years, I haven’t been as involved with MNDA as much as I would've liked, but I am making it my mission to change that. By nominating this charity, I hope to raise awareness and support for those living with MND and their families, so they never feel alone in this fight. This marks the beginning of my commitment to support MNDA with much greater devotion.

This nomination is not just about honouring my Grandad’s memory, it’s about helping others who are going through this devastating disease and working towards a future where MND no longer steals lives.

Aim of charity
To promote and to provide good care and support for those people living with, affected by, or curious about death, dying and bereavement across the Isle of Wight. We believe that all dying people and those close to them should have access to expert, compassionate and cost-effective care of the highest quality, whatever the illness, whoever they are and wherever they happen to be. Mountbatten Isle of Wight is an independent charity which provides end of life care and bereavement support to anyone living on the Isle of Wight.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 2 colleagues
Mountbatten supported both my uncle and grandad before they passed away, and I honestly can’t thank them enough. My family and I were incredibly grateful for the care, compassion, and support we received during such a difficult time. The staff were amazing, so kind and understanding and really helped us through it all. I’ve also heard so many similar stories from others, and it’s clear that Mountbatten consistently goes above and beyond. You never hear a bad word about them, they’re truly an outstanding charity. One small example of their kindness: I was helping out at an event at the County Showground on the Isle of Wight, and we realised we didn’t have any pegs for our stall. The team at the Mountbatten stand lent us some pegs and even a hammer. I accidentally dented a few of the pegs, but they were so lovely about it completely understanding it happens and just genuinely helpful. That moment really stuck with me. It’s the little things like that which show just how thoughtful and supportive they are.

Aim of charity
Raise awareness and funds for men's health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 2 colleagues
It's an issue that goes largely unrecognised.
Movember needs no introduction, I did this last year and was completely blown away by the support received, didn't even think twice about doing it again this year along with colleagues in Marine, Cargo and Logistics.

Aim of charity
As an official global charity, Movember’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of millions of moustaches on men's faces around the world. We’re the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. We’re addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. We know what works for men, and how to find and fund the most innovative research to have both a global and local impact. We're independent of government funding, so we can challenge the status quo and invest quicker in what works. In 15 years we’ve funded more than 1,200 men’s health projects around the world.

Reason for nominating this charity
To raise more awareness around men's mental health and suicide prevention.
I have been supporting this cause by proudly sporting a moustache and raising funds for the past 15 years. This is a great cause that doesn't get the attention it deserves... Men's Health. There is so much stigma around men getting themselves checked out when it comes to taking care of their physical and mental health. And I want to do what I can to put a spotlight on this issue to let men know that nothing is more manly than taking care of yourself. Because it doesn't just affect you, it affects everyone who depends on you!

Aim of charity
We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, volunteers and fundraisers.
We understand what life’s like with MS, and we support each other through the highs, lows and everything in between.
And we’re driving research into more – and better – treatments. For everyone.
Together, we are strong enough to stop MS.

Reason for nominating this charity
The MS Society are a game changer for people living with MS. Their articles go way beyond the basics offered by the NHS website, they cover the kind of symptoms that don’t usually get talked about, especially the ones that aren’t on the NHS website. That kind of info can make all the difference when you're trying to figure out what’s really going on, which helped me ask my GP for an MRI (deciding that perhaps it isn't just 'depression') that led to my diagnosis last year.

They’re actively funding research and pushing for better treatments, not satisfied with the absence of a cure for this progressive and life changing disease.

The community they have built is amazing. Their forum is full of people sharing stories, tips, and those niche but real symptoms that let you know you’re not the only one, and it's not just in your head (no MS pun intended!). It’s a space where people actually get it and you can feel less alone.

Aim of charity
Mustard Seed Autism Trust is a registered Charity providing support to autistic children, their parents and siblings. Their mission is to equip children, empower parents and educate society so that together we can build a more understanding world.

Reason for nominating this charity
We have done some fantastic work with Mustard Seed over the last few years, including a fundraiser race night and a local business networking evening, hosted by Fleet Town Football Club, who have chosen Mustard Seed as their Charity partner.
Mustard Seed are a stand out local charity that focuses on supporting children that are neurodivergent, along with their families. They offer a safe space at their local facility that provides a wholesome environment. Francis, Sarah and the rest of the Mustard Seed team work tirelessly, to offer a unique support network.

Currently, the charity is able to support around 40-50 families, but due to limited resource and a small team they are not able to facilitate working with more families. The additional funding would provide them with the opportunity to work on a larger scope and give them the chance to embed themselves as a safe haven for children suffering with Autism.

Please see below a testimonial from one of the parents that has benefitted from the services that Mustard Seed provide.

'The support offered by Mustard Seed is outstanding. I am not aware of anything of this sort being available elsewhere without going through a private route which is cost prohibitive. Thank you so much for doing what you do. It helped my son very much and he enjoyed the sessions.'

Aim of charity
We understand the complexities of myeloma and the impact of living with a diagnosis has on patients, families and carers.
Our goals are: to empower patients and their families, inform and influence policy, educate healthcare professionals and improve treatment and care. We channel our passion towards finding a cure. Alongside our network of dedicated research partners, we are breaking new ground.

Reason for nominating this charity
Myeloma is an incurable form of blood cancer, and the charity I’m nominating is dedicated to funding research to find a cure. Unlike many larger organisations, they receive no government or NHS funding and rely entirely on donations and fundraising efforts to continue their vital work.

This cause is deeply personal to me. Almost a year ago, my sister was diagnosed with myeloma at just 38 years old. Since then, she has undergone multiple trial treatments in the hope of achieving remission and maintaining the best possible quality of life. However, statistics show that 85% of those diagnosed will not survive beyond five years. We remain desperately hopeful for a breakthrough, and supporting this charity would not only contribute to life-saving research but also offer hope to families like mine. It would mean the world to us.

Aim of charity
The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Australia’s leading national body funding game-changing breast cancer research with money raised entirely by the Australian public. Since 1994, when NBCF was first established, they have invested nearly AU$200M into almost 600 research projects. In that time, the death rates from breast cancer in Australia have reduced by 43% thanks in large part to research in prevention, early detection and new and improved breast cancer treatments. More than ever, NBCF is focusing keenly on how they can do more with less in order to achieve great outcomes that will impact the longevity and quality of life for patients with breast cancer. For them, this means identifying new and effective models of funding and ensuring that they don’t stand alone but work collaboratively and creatively to achieve their vision of Zero Deaths from breast cancer.

Reason for nominating this charity
They receive no government funding, so every breakthrough, every life saved, and every family supported depends on the generosity of people and organisations like Howden / DUAL. Breast cancer is a reality that touches so many lives. In Australia alone, an estimated 20,129 women and 207 men will be diagnosed in 2025. One in eight women will face this disease by the age of 85, making it the second most commonly diagnosed cancer after skin cancer. Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second most common overall. Every minute, four women are diagnosed, and heartbreakingly, one woman loses her life.

For me, this cause is deeply personal. My mother was recently diagnosed for the second time, nearly 25 years after her first battle. Just weeks ago, she underwent a double mastectomy, and we’re still waiting on genetic testing results. We also lost my sister-in-law to breast cancer at just 48 years old. These experiences have shown me how vital research, support, and treatment are—and how much difference contributions can make.

Aim of charity
to protect, conserve, and promote Scotland's natural, built, and cultural heritage.

Reason for nominating this charity
Scotland's natural beauty is something everyone can appreciate from anywhere, we should help fund a charity that is willing to continue to maintain such fantastic areas of the country with such vast amounts of wildlife.

Aim of charity
To raise awareness and funds to help support youth and adults in their pursuit in learning arts such as musical, dance, highland athletics. To promote awareness of the outstanding contributions and history of the Celtic Peoples in the formation and continuance of the New World. To provide a forum for the exchange and promotion of Celtic cultural information between the Celtic Associations of the New World; To act as liaison for coordination of and assistance to these Organizations. To provide a vehicle for charitable donations to promote Celtic culture in the New World in the areas of Cultural awareness, music, dance, athletics, re-enactments, and other areas deemed appropriate by the International Executive Committee. To perpetuate Celtic Culture and history in the New World.

Reason for nominating this charity
Outside of work, I dedicate my time to teaching Irish dancing at a local studio, sharing this vibrant art form with both youth and adult students. Through my efforts, I strive to preserve and promote Celtic culture within our community.
The New World Celts organization recognizes individuals who demonstrate a passion for learning and advancing Celtic heritage. My mission aligns with theirs: raising awareness and funds to support students in their pursuit of cultural arts such as Irish dancing. By fostering appreciation for tradition and providing opportunities for participation, I aim to ensure that Celtic heritage continues to thrive for future generations.

Aim of charity
No5 Young People is a local charity and our core work is providing free, confidential counselling to anyone age 11–25, living, working or studying in Reading and the surrounding area. We were established in 1971. To provide early intervention services to prevent the development of more serious problems caused by mental or physical ill health or other challenging circumstances, by providing support and advice (in particular, but not exclusively, by providing professional counselling services), to children and young people and their families regardless of difference, background or identity who live, work or study in Reading and the surrounding area.

Reason for nominating this charity
No5 provide vital mental health support for local young people, and their support has never been more needed with almost 1,000 young people waiting for counselling at any one time. Young people and families ask No5 directly for help – they do not need a referral from a GP, school, or any other professional. This means that young people and parents can ask for the support they need at the earliest possible moment – supporting early intervention, preventing escalation. No5 provide up to 20 weeks of counselling for every young person – the longest offer in the Thames Valley, and they do so with less than 5% of their running costs coming from the NHS. With no funding from the Local Authority, No5’s service is reliant on support from Trusts, Foundations, Corporate partners and individuals in the community to support their services which change the lives of thousands of young people every year.
They support young people experiencing a whole range of challenges – anxiety, depression, loneliness, challenges in/with school, family breakdowns, relationship issues, gender and sexuality issues, struggles with neurodiversity, disordered eating, OCD, and all-too-often self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts.

Aim of charity
People living with autism face unique challenges that can make it difficult for them to develop self-confidence and make genuine connections. Learning to surf offers a fun, healthy, and unique way for people on the autism spectrum to develop their confidence, boost self-esteem and make connections with others. That’s why Ocean Heroes was formed in 2016. They provide a unique opportunity for people on the autism spectrum to take part in organised sport backed by a highly supported, safe and inclusive environment. By running free events and surf experiences, they offer the autism community the chance to experience the thrill of riding a wave!

Reason for nominating this charity
This charity is truly incredible. After joining one of their surf experiences, I got to witness something special which was kids growing in confidence right before my eyes. You could literally see the change happen in real time: the hesitation on their faces turning into excitement, the way they stood taller after catching a wave, and how laughter replaced nerves. It was a tangible, heart-warming reminder of the impact this program has. Truly unforgettable.

Aim of charity
OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity exists to support and care for children facing brain tumours and their families, to raise awareness of children’s brain tumours and to fund new research to drive down diagnosis time, increase survival rate and improve children’s quality of life during and after treatment.

Reason for nominating this charity
I’d love for us to support OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity with a £30,000 donation. It’s a cause that means a lot to us locally — we’ve worked closely with the charity, taken part in events, and met the families they help. The people behind OSCAR’s have lived through it themselves — parents who know first-hand what it’s like to have a child with a brain tumour and how that affects everyone around them. They fund vital research, but also give real, hands-on support to families going through the toughest times imaginable. It’s an amazing organisation doing incredible work, and our contribution would make a genuine difference to children and families both here in Yorkshire and across the UK. This isn’t just about giving money — it’s about standing behind something truly meaningful, something that reflects who we are as a company and the communities we care about.

Aim of charity
Pancreatic Cancer UK is the only national charity fighting pancreatic cancer on all fronts: support, information, campaigning, research. We are striving for a long and good life for everyone diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Through our dedicated pancreatic cancer support and information service we:
- Provide easy access to the best and most up-to-date information on pancreatic cancer
- Run discussion forums for pancreatic cancer patients, their carers and families to enable them to share experiences, advice and inspiration
- Provide individual support via email and telephone
In addition we:
- Fund research and other projects of benefit to patients and their families
- Raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, particularly amongst GPs, policy makers and politicians and the general public, providing a powerful campaigning voice for all people living with pancreatic cancer, and their families

Reason for nominating this charity
My step father passed away following a very difficult battle with pancreatic cancer 2 years ago. He was going back and forth to his GP prior to the diagnosis and when the cancer was identified it had already advanced. This is all too common, I worked in a pancreatic cancer clinic prior to my job at Howden. I have seen the devastation professionally and personally. More research needs to be done to find a cure, more education for communities, GP surgeries to understands signs and easier access to imaging and investigations. Hopefully one day people can be seen sooner and the treatment can be curative rather than palliative.

Aim of charity
Pankind is Australia’s only organisation solely dedicated to improving pancreatic cancer outcomes. We drive progress through 1) Pioneering Research: collaborate with the best researchers in the world and drive the research agenda in Australia to contribute and invest in potentially life-saving research 2) Compassionate Support: stand alongside people living with pancreatic cancer, their families, and carers, providing resources, hope, and understanding every step of the way. 3) Tireless Advocacy: influence policy, increase funding, and amplify the voices of those affected.

Reason for nominating this charity
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most underfunded cancers in the country.

Aim of charity
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

Suicide is the biggest killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK. We believe that many suicides are preventable."

Reason for nominating this charity
I have previously worked with the family who were one of the founding members of the charity, which they set up after losing their son/brother. I have seen first hand the support the charity gives to young adults in prevention but also the support to families who have sadly lost loved ones.

Aim of charity
Parkinson’s devastates lives and there’s no cure. Yet. As its grip tightens, you find you can’t walk, can’t talk, can’t eat, can’t sleep. You can’t live like you used to. But Parkinson's can’t hold us back. Powered by people like you. Funding pioneering research to find a cure. Together, we’re Parkinson’s UK. We’ve uncovered clues to the causes, and genetic involvement in Parkinson’s. We’re working to advance new treatments and therapies. And we’re persistently exploring repurposing drugs to help manage some of the more distressing symptoms – like hallucinations and falls. We’re close. But not close enough. Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the UK. And we must act now. You can help fund the next treatment. Together, we can find a cure.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 2 colleagues

One colleague shared how deeply personal this cause is for them, as their mum, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law all live with Parkinson’s. They described how the condition affects every part of daily life, movement, speech, memory, sleep, balance, and more making it relentless and life-changing not only for those diagnosed but also for their loved ones. For them, Parkinson’s UK is vital because it funds life-saving research, provides essential support services, and campaigns for better care and understanding. Every pound raised brings us closer to new treatments and, one day, a cure.

Another colleague also highlighted a personal connection, as their mum lives with Parkinson’s. They emphasised the charity’s incredible work supporting those affected and driving research to find better treatments and ultimately a cure. Supporting Parkinson’s UK means making a real difference to thousands of families like theirs.

Together, these perspectives show why Parkinson’s UK matters: it combines research, advocacy, and support to improve lives today and create hope for tomorrow.

Aim of charity
Pony Tales Refuge is a full circle of life open-door shelter which means we will take in any horse regardless of age, breed, training, background or behaviour. Every horse is evaluated by our veterinarian and training team for quality of life and suitability. We provide them with the care and training they need while offering shelter and safety during their transition.

Reason for nominating this charity
I'm nominating Pony Tales Rescue not just because of my love of animals but also because of the work this small charity does to save thousands of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules from the slaughter pipeline. Every month, the team attends horse auctions across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois to buy horses that would otherwise be shipped across the borders to Canada in horrific conditions to be slaughtered. Most of these horses have already been neglected and abused, used as nothing more than objects to till farmland or pull buggies (and usually wearing ill-fitting shoes or whilst foundering).
Countless times this charity has saved mares who have had their foals ripped from them or are still pregnant (such as Nadia, a 2 and half year old saddlebred mare. She was found in a kill pen, terrified, blind in one eye and pregnant. Or Janice, an 8-year old Belgium Draft who had foundered and was heavily pregnant.) The charity also provides their 'greener pastures' project which helps owners give their animals a dignified and painless passing at home when all other options have been exhausted. The charity is currently trying to raise $20k for an indoor turn-out area for rehabilitation of stall bound/rest equines in their care - something definitely needed especially with the harsh winters they have in Wisconsin! So, please vote to help these guys continue to do the work they do and if not, please check out their website and social media to learn more about the work they do.

Aim of charity
PoTS UK is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) across the United Kingdom. PoTS UK was founded by a group of healthcare professionals with PoTS who recognised the need to increase awareness of this condition. The charity provides education, support, and advocacy to patients, their families, and healthcare professionals, promotes awareness of this under-recognised condition, and fosters research and evidence-based resources to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life.

Reason for nominating this charity
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) is a complex, often invisible, and debilitating disorder of the autonomic nervous system that affects the body's ability to regulate blood flow and heart rate, particularly on standing. People with PoTS frequently experience dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, fatigue, and fainting. Although it predominantly affects women aged 15-50, PoTS can impact anyone and is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, and with very few medical professionals trained to recognise or manage it, PoTS can make daily life extremely challenging.

PoTS UK provides vital support, education, advocacy, and resources for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. The charity raises awareness, promotes research, and fosters a multidisciplinary approach to improve diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life. After a decade of unexplained symptoms, fainting episodes, hospital admissions, medical appointments, and tests, before my own PoTS diagnosis, I know first-hand how isolating and frustrating this condition can be. This charity is deeply personal to me, and I wholeheartedly nominate it for its exceptional work in supporting everyone affected by PoTS.

Aim of charity
"“To promote humane behaviour towards animals by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment and security for animals, in particular but not limited to Galgos, Podencos and other Sighthounds, which are in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage and to educate the public in matters pertaining to animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals.”"

Reason for nominating this charity
Many people (including dog owners) that I speak to are blissfully unaware of the cruelty that exists in Spain. It is estimated up to 60,000 dogs a year are discarded and killed at the end of the hunting season in February. The dogs that have not hunted well and are deemed to have 'brought shame on their Galgueros' are often hung from trees, covered in acid or beaten or run over. Thankfully several charities in Spain literally pick up the pieces. The hunting dogs comprising of mainly Galgos (Spanish Greyhounds) and Podencos (descending from Egyptian Hounds) are the most beautiful, sensitive and forgiving souls. They are kept in awful conditions, sometimes chained, yet the Galgueros will often have a family pet dog living in their home but the hunting dogs are seen merely as tools and as such exempt from any of the welfare rights that any other breed of dog in Spain has protecting them.
I have the most beautify dog called Iraya that came from Fundaction Benjamin Mehnert in Spain via Project Galgo who liaise with a few charities in Spain, placing dogs directly into homes either for Forster or Adoption. I have had dogs all my life including several ex racing greyhounds and currently have 3 dogs. Iraya was the most extreme case I have rescued, I couldn't even touch her as she was so consumed in fear. Fast Forward 12 months and she is the most loving, loyal, precious companion I could wish for. By far the best behaved and easy dog I have ever shared my home with. Project Galgo seek out the dogs in rescue that hide in the shadows and give them light. FBM has space for 600 dogs, Iraya was kenneled with several other dogs and hid at the back in her enclosed area and would never have been seen, let alone chosen for rehoming. She was 18 months old when she went to FMB. A young dog with her whole life ahead of her.
It would mean more to me than I could every express if Howden were able to facilitate a donation to this wonderful charity. I know Helena and Camilla personally, they run this charity alongside their full time jobs and they make a direct difference to hundreds of dogs every year.

Aim of charity
We provide shelter for the unwanted, medical care for the sick, end of life care for the elderly and safety for every animal in our care. We have a zero euthanasia policy unless suffering medically.

Reason for nominating this charity
I have personally rescued a number of cats throughout my life, so Protected Paws' mission means a lot to me. They are always looking for foster and permanent homes for the many, many animals they rescue every day. Some of these animals have been so mistreated that they need a lot of medial care, which of course is expensive. Just reading some of the horror stories some of these poor animals have been through is so shocking. Any help we can give them is truly appreciated.

Aim of charity
Every day of the year we give brave and deserving young people across the UK the chance to put their illness on hold and experience a magical moment of escape and happiness. Wishes can be as unique as the children themselves and whether they want to be a princess or a fireman for the day, or meet a high-profile hero or a ‘real life’ mermaid, Rays of Sunshine works hard to make that dream come true. We give children and their families precious memories to cherish for years to come. We also bring wish communities together for special events for children and their families with shared experiences serious illness to reduce isolation, build connections and create much-needed respite.

Reason for nominating this charity
There are over 85,000 children and young people living in the UK with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness*. This figure is increasing every year. Every child deserves to experience happiness and put their illness on hold – even if it is just for one day. Their work creates a positive distraction, reduces isolation, improves self-esteem and creates precious memories and smiles.

Aim of charity
ReachOut gives disadvantaged young people the individual support they need to achieve their potential and go on to lead good and happy lives. Young people are referred to us by schools because they are disengaged or underachieving. We help them to develop their character and improve their academic attainment through long-term one-to-one mentoring with positive, volunteer role models. Our mentees meet weekly with their ReachOut mentors at after-school projects that take place in our partner schools. The projects run from October to June, with approximately 30 sessions across that time (projects break for school holidays). There are up to sixteen young people from one year group on each project, each paired with a mentor. The activity is supervised by a ReachOut project leader who is responsible for managing each session, teacher liaison and leading group activities, creating a safe and supportive environment for both mentees and mentors. Since 2011, 69% of our mentees receiving free school meals achieved 5 A*-Cs at GCSE, compared to just 34% nationwide. Furthermore, more than 99% of our mentees are in education, training or employment 6 months after leaving Year 11, and 100% of teachers we work with say that our programmes have a positive effect on pupils’ personal development. We work closely with the school to understand the issues facing the young person and their current attainment and develop a clear set of impact goals for each of them. These are often focused on their academic attainment but also on their confidence and behaviour.

Reason for nominating this charity
To inspire the next generation and steer the next generation away from negative life changing decisions.ns.

Aim of charity
Re-engage (formerly Contact the Elderly) is a charity that is positive about older age and committed to fighting loneliness so that people can have social lives and friendship groups however old they are. We inspire and enable meaningful connections and shared experiences within communities across the UK for people over 75 facing loneliness and social isolation.

Our volunteers work together to create better communities and help to enrich the lives of our members by giving them something to look forward to.
Older people who may have felt very alone, now feel valued as individuals, continue to form friendships, and have groups that give support. We make sure that people know they are important well into old age. Respectful, determined, warm, pioneering, and local: we are Re-engage and we are bringing generations together.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am the volunteer co-ordinator for the Gloucester Reengage "tea party" group and have been so for the past 8-9 years. The group provides a monthly get-together for a group of elderly people aged between 75 -100 who live alone, allowing them to socialise and enjoy each others company every month and that of the volunteer drivers too. The tea parties are held in both private host's homes and also, when budget allows, we have taken them to restaurants, cafes or day trips to suitable places for older guests such as pantomimes, steam train and boat trips. The group really is a lifeline for most of the guests, one of our new guests after attending her first tea party with us this month said "I really enjoyed myself, it was the best Sunday afternoon I've had for years, such a lovely crowd, all friendly and not judgemental" . My group has also taken part in ventures with the charity such as helping enhance digital skills for older guests who may want help getting online.

Aim of charity
On any given day, Refuge supports thousands of women and children affected by domestic abuse through their specialist services including their 24/7 Helpline, 41 refuges and community based services. The world’s first refuge opened in Chiswick, West London in 1971. Since then Refuge has grown to become the country’s largest single provider of specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence. In England and Wales, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Refuge provides lifesaving and life changing specialist support to help women and children rebuild their lives free from fear and abuse. Their crucial services offer support for different types of abuse including economic and tech abuse, and have culturally specific services and independent advocacy services. Refuge continues to drive change through their policy and advocacy work, to ensure that there is better protection and support available for women and children affected by domestic abuse across the country.
Together with the help of supporters, Refuge can keep their lifesaving services running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for women and children who need support.

Reason for nominating this charity
I was a DV victim through my childhood until age 11, and it completely changed my life, leading to me again being a victim of emotional abuse for 3 of my adult years. I have also witnessed multiple of my vulnerable neighbours, along with friends, become victims themselves, with DV rates consistently on the rise. DV exceeds physical violence, and controls every aspect of your life, finances, self perception, social circle etc. It can happen to anybody, no matter how secure you may feel. You never fully recover, and without charities like this myself, my family, friends and many others may not be in the position we are today. This charity will save lives.

Aim of charity
Rennie Grove Hospice Care is a charity providing care and support for patients in Herts and Bucks diagnosed with life-limiting illness. Through our unique 24/7 responsive hospice at home service and a range of day services we make it possible for patients to choose how and where they want to be cared for towards the end of life. The support we provide for families both during the illness and after bereavement is an integral part of our care.

Reason for nominating this charity
Recently they have assisted a family member in their final stages, and the organisation does a brilliant job

Aim of charity
Our whole reason for being is to find homes for as many rescue dogs as we can providing them with care and love while they are waiting however long that takes. As a rescue we have chosen to focus on breeds that are notoriously difficult to re-home because of the bad press they have received. We see the reality behind the hype that these dogs are not inherently bad but have often been very badly treated and many are frightened lost souls when they come to us. In our considerable experience with time, love, patience and understanding these dogs can and do make wonderful pets despite the terrible start in life some have endured at people’s hands.

Reason for nominating this charity
I adopted a Staffy from them years ago and we had a very happy 4 years. They work hard to get the dogs into foster so they are in a home environment.

Aim of charity
To save lives, promote safety and rescue service efficiency, and provide relief from disaster at sea and on inland and flood waters; to advance the education of the public in matters relating to sea, inland and flood water safety, and in the history and heritage of the Institution; to relieve/assist those who have been involved in saving lives at sea and on inland and flood waters in any capacity.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 4 colleagues
Our colleagues expressed deep admiration for the RNLI and its volunteers. Many highlighted the bravery and selflessness shown by volunteers who put themselves in danger to save lives, calling it truly inspirational. Others emphasised that the RNLI is entirely funded by donations and staffed by volunteers who do an amazing job in often horrendous conditions, risking their own lives to rescue others.

Additional perspectives reinforced the breadth and importance of their work. One colleague, a sailor, shared how the RNLI helps ensure safety at sea, acting as an extra life raft for those in need. Another reminded us that you don’t need to be at sea to be at risk—the RNLI serves the entirety of England, providing rescue from inland waters and flooding as well as coastal emergencies.

One colleague shared a deeply personal story: when they were a child, their mum’s friend tragically died after being swept away by a tidal wave in Blackpool. The RNLI searched tirelessly to recover his remains, bringing closure to his loved ones. For that family, the RNLI’s service is something they will always feel indebted for. Here’s to hoping none of us ever need their help, but supporting the RNLI ensures they can continue saving lives for generations to come. Their courage, compassion, and commitment make them truly deserving of this recognition.

Aim of charity
The charities mission is to care for any unwanted cats, vaccinating, micro-chipping and neutering cats so they can have a second chance of a better life in a loving forever home.

Reason for nominating this charity
Romney House Cat Rescue (Charity No. 1122119) is a small, independent charity making a big difference in our local community in Kent / South East London. Each year, they rehome hundreds of vulnerable cats and kittens, providing essential care, medical treatment, and a second chance at life. I volunteer every Saturday and I see first-hand the dedication of the team and the positive impact on both animals and people. The cat houses are thoroughly cleaned every day, and the cats and kittens are given lots of attention and access to fresh food and water. At any one time, they may have 50-60 cats and kittens with them - all requiring care and attention. If cats or kittens can't be rehomed for any reason, they allow them to reside on their grounds so they still have access to a bed, and food - they do not agree with putting any healthy animal down. Supporting Romney House aligns with Howden’s commitment to local, employee-driven giving. A donation would directly fund food, medical care, and shelter, especially vital as winter approaches. Finally, any donation would make a huge positive impact to such a small charity.

Aim of charity
The Royal British Legion (RBL) is an Armed Forces charity that provides lifelong support to serving and ex-serving military personnel and their families. It offers practical and financial assistance, including help with finances, housing, and employment, as well as recovery and rehabilitation services. The RBL also campaigns on issues affecting the Armed Forces community and organizes Remembrance events.

Reason for nominating this charity
As an ex serviceman myself I've been lucky to transition from the 24 years service in the military to civilian street relatively easy. Many other ex service people don't have such luck. Whether it be from PTSD or other issues many veterans find nevertheless alone/homeless with no where else to go. The RBL step in to help before its too last. Veterans make up 5% of all suicide deaths within the UK

Aim of charity
The mission of the charity is to help local families access food.
We seek to aid in the fight to end food insecurity in the UK , by petitioning on a local level
To end local food hunger, providing food packages to over a hundred families weekly, with over 250 registered clients who rely on the charity.
Aiming to soon provide hot meals across the borough of Waltham forest throughout the week


Reason for nominating this charity
Rukhsana Khan Foundation is a foodbank that has been operating since 2012. It was the first foodbank to open in Walthamstow, an area in East London made up of a rich and diverse community. On a rolling weekly basis, the charity, and its volunteers provide food to over 100 families.
Rising inequality has led to increased food insecurity across the UK, which has caused huge growth in the usage of foodbanks across the UK. Official government statistics now suggest that around 11% of the population are experiencing food poverty in the UK.

Growing up in a very mixed community in London I have seen first hand how food poverty affects so many people, especially those who are young and vulnerable, which led me to becoming involved in the charity when I was around 18. Since its founding, every Saturday, a number of local volunteers work hard to pack and distribute the food which is donated to us by a number of sponsors from individual to organised levels. The foundation works hard to serve our community offering support to vulnerable people. We not only provide food, but offer people who are struggling community and connection, spending time with those who rely on our support week in week out.

I believe in this charity and their mission. Voting for this charity would ensure helping one less person goes to bed hungry. Over the winter months this is particularly important as every year there is a spike in usage around this time.

The funding secured, could also greatly help the foodbank expand its operations, as it is seeking to provide warm meals multiple times a week by opening a kitchen to feed people from across the entire borough.

Aim of charity
Sahir House is Liverpool City Region’s longest-running LGBTQ+ and HIV charity, dedicated to creating a healthier, fairer, and more inclusive society. For nearly four decades, it has stood as a lifeline for people when they need it most.

Core Aims

Empower LGBTQ+ Communities:
They work tirelessly to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals can live authentically and safely. Through peer support groups, counselling, and advocacy, they help people find belonging and strength in community.

Support People Living With HIV:
From diagnosis to ongoing care, they provide practical and emotional support, confidential counselling, and health services. they normalise HIV testing and fight stigma every day.

Champion Equality and Fight Discrimination:
Sahir House campaigns locally and nationally to tackle injustice and reduce health inequalities. They strive for a society where everyone has equal access to care, safety, and respect.

Protect the Vulnerable:
They offer specialist services for refugees and asylum seekers who face compounded challenges due to sexuality, gender identity, and HIV status.

Educate and Advocate:
Through training for professionals and outreach programmes, they raise awareness about sexual health and wellbeing, ensuring communities are informed and empowered.


Reason for nominating this charity
For nearly 40 years, Sahir House has been a lifeline for LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV across the Liverpool City Region and beyond. Every day, the charity fight stigma, provide vital health services, and create safe spaces where people can live authentically and without fear. But right now, the future is uncertain and safe places and support are closing. Demand for the services has never been higher. Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals in Liverpool and across the UK have surged, and health inequalities remain stark. At the same time, Sahir House has lost two-thirds of its funding, leaving us with a monthly shortfall of £20,000 just to keep essential services running. Without urgent support, hundreds of people risk losing access to counselling, HIV testing, and life-saving outreach. Last year, Sahir House supported over 1,000 people through counselling, peer groups, and advocacy. We distributed hundreds of free HIV self-test kits during Pride, helping normalise testing and reduce late diagnoses. The outreach teams deliver free, confidential HIV and STI testing pop-ups across Merseyside, reaching communities that mainstream services often miss. They provide specialist support for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers, ensuring they find safety and belonging in a hostile world. Despite this incredible impact, the financial position is precarious. In the last financial year, Sahir House spent £428,076 to deliver services but only raised £262,027, leaving a deficit of £166,000. Every donation helps close this gap and ensures we can continue to fight for equality and health for all.

As a gay man, I have always been fortunate not to face hate crime or discrimination myself, but I have friends who have had to turn to Sahir House for support. That makes this cause deeply personal for me and is why I am proud to nominate this charity.

Aim of charity
SAVE, Inc. provides comprehensive housing solutions to empower socially and medically disadvantaged people to improve their health and lead stable lives with personal dignity.

Reason for nominating this charity
The programme offers a safe, inclusive space where guests, especially LGBTQ+ youth, can utilize the shelter services when they are experiencing homelessness, obtain meals, be connected to community resources, mental and physical healthcare through case management. I think it is important to support these youth that don't have support from their family.

Aim of charity
To rescue, recover, repair, rehabilitate, retrain, re-love and re-home homeless dogs who have been abused, abandoned, tortured, hurt, traumatised or neglected.

Saving Hope’s one goal is to place all abused, neglected and abandoned dogs with loving forever homes and owners who will make them part of their family.
Owners who will give them care in surroundings where they will be safe, and live and play happily until it’s their time to pass on.

Saving Hope strives to achieve the following goals:
- Protect the welfare of abandoned and abused dogs by providing care and shelter.
- Spay and neuter dogs to prevent future unwanted animals.
- Secure adoptive homes for dogs.
- Support community awareness of ethical treatment of dogs and all animals.

Sadly, many dogs are treated poorly by those without resources. Many dog pounds are not well staffed and many stray or abandoned animals are brought by a control officer to dog pounds where they’re often left alone to share rooms with other animals where they receive little or no one-on one attention.


Reason for nominating this charity
Saving Hope Foundation is one of New Zealand’s leading dog rescue charities, dedicated to giving abused, abandoned, and neglected dogs the life they deserve. Since its inception in 2017, this no-kill organisation has rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed over 1,000 dogs and puppies, providing them with medical care, love, and safe forever homes.

What makes Saving Hope extraordinary?

- 100% of donations go directly to the dogs – no salaries for trustees or managers.
- They fight for humane treatment standards in shelters nationwide and advocate against breed-specific euthanasia.
- Their passionate volunteers work tirelessly, ensuring every dog gets a fair chance at life.

By voting for Saving Hope, you’re helping an organisation that never turns a dog away, prioritises welfare above all else, and transforms heartbreak into hope.

Aim of charity
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices cares for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families. They support families from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional, and medical care. Their bespoke support is free of charge to families and includes a comprehensive range of therapies and support groups for the whole family, specialist nursing care and respite, symptom management, end-of-life care and bereavement support.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 2 colleagues
One colleague shared a close connection to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices through their sister, who works at the Guildford hospice. They spoke about the incredible effort and determination shown by the team, providing vital support to families during unimaginably difficult times. Having a young child themselves, they expressed deep appreciation for the facilities and care offered, noting that any additional funding would directly change lives for both patients and families.

Another colleague highlighted a deeply personal experience through their best friend and goddaughter, who relied on Shooting Star Children’s Hospices during a heartbreaking journey. The hospice provided compassionate care, practical support, and a safe space for the family to create precious memories and say goodbye with dignity. Their ongoing counselling and advice have been a lifeline, helping the family cope and rebuild after loss. This story illustrates the charity’s priceless role in supporting families through the most challenging moments of their lives. Together, these perspectives show why Shooting Star Children’s Hospices matters: it combines expert care, emotional support, and unwavering compassion to make an immeasurable difference for children and families when they need it most.

Aim of charity
Slums Dunk is a non-profit association whose mission is to use basketball to improve the living conditions of children and young people living in highly deprived contexts in Kenya, Zambia, Argentina, from 2021 in Italy and in 2022 in Cambodia. The name comes from an alteration of the word SLAM DUNK (the English term used to indicate the dunk gesture in basketball) where the term SLAM is replaced by the word SLUM (to indicate the Nairobi Slums where the association was born). The name therefore includes both the main place of intervention of the association, the slums, but above all the instrument used: basketball. The idea was born in 2011 by two professional basketball player Bruno Cerella and Tommaso Marino. The pillars of the association are therefore: basketball, Life Skills education, rehabilitation of sports infrastructure, health. This is possible thanks to the partnership with realities rooted in the territories in which Slums Dunk operates, where basketball can act as a connector and access channel to infrastructures, educational paths and support for the health education of the children who live in the slum. All this without making gender discrimination, indeed by enhancing the sporting practice of girls and girls, so that sport gives them the opportunity to experiment and develop decisive skills for their emancipation path.


Reason for nominating this charity
We firmly believe that basketball is much more than a sport: it’s a powerful tool for change, capable of improving the lives of children and young people facing conditions of social disadvantage, vulnerability, or discrimination.
Through sport, we promote inclusion, equality, dialogue between cultures, and new opportunities for growth.

Aim of charity
Soaring Above Teen Center in Ionia, Michigan, is a community-driven organization devoted to supporting local youth by providing a safe, caring, and nurturing environment. Its mission is simple yet powerful: “to provide a safe, caring and loving environment with one goal: Leave no child behind!!!” The center serves as a haven where every teen can feel accepted and supported, regardless of their beliefs, gender, family’s financial status, or educational abilities. Soaring Above helps young people overcome challenges, build confidence, and develop the life skills they need to thrive both now and in the future.

At the heart of Soaring Above is a focus on education and personal growth. Members receive homework help, academic guidance, and access to learning opportunities that empower them to grow, succeed, and pursue their dreams. Teens are encouraged to become the best version of themselves while learning to support and uplift others. While academics and personal development form the foundation, the center also meets essential needs by providing meals and snacks to keep students nourished and warm clothing when necessary, ensuring every teen feels safe and cared for. Through mentorship, compassion, and a commitment to community, Soaring Above Teen Center empowers Ionia’s youth to develop into confident, capable individuals ready to soar above life’s challenges.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am nominating Soaring Above Teen Center because it provides vital support to teens and pre-teens who might otherwise face challenges alone. In its nine years, the center has welcomed over 1,000 young members, including 39 just last month, offering mentorship, educational support, and opportunities to grow into confident, capable individuals. It costs only $126 per year to sponsor a child, yet running the center requires $6,200 per month to cover essentials like food, clothing, rent, utilities, and transportation.

The center was founded by a man who grew up in poverty, ran away from home at 13, spent time in prison, and later lost a daughter to depression. He vowed that his past would not define his future and has since dedicated his life to helping youth overcome obstacles and reach their potential.

Voting for Soaring Above means helping sustain a safe, caring environment where young people can succeed academically, develop life skills, and be inspired to reach their full potential. Supporting this center is an investment in the next generation—helping kids thrive today and build a brighter future for all.

Aim of charity
Sobell House Hospice, based in Oxford, aims to provide compassionate, specialist care to people facing life-limiting illnesses, as well as support for their families and loved ones. Their mission is centred on:

- Enriching the lives of patients and those who care for them, helping people live well for as long as possible and supporting them to have a dignified and peaceful end of life.
- Providing holistic care—physical, psychological, social, and spiritual—to those facing illness, death, and bereavement.
- Respecting the uniqueness and dignity of each individual, ensuring care is tailored to personal needs and preferences.
Extending care beyond the hospice, including services at home and in hospitals across Oxfordshire.
Contributing to the development of palliative care through education and research.

Reason for nominating this charity
Sobell House Hospice is more than just a place—it’s a lifeline of compassion, dignity, and support for families facing the most difficult moments of their lives. Their team provides exceptional end-of-life care, not only to patients but to the loved ones who walk alongside them.
For me personally, Sobell House holds a special place in my heart. My grandad received truly outstanding care there in his final days. The staff treated him with warmth, respect, and humanity, making an incredibly hard time a little more bearable for our family. And I’m not alone—several colleagues in our IT team have also had family members cared for by Sobell House, and each story echoes the same theme: kindness, professionalism, and unwavering support. Voting for Sobell House is a way to recognize the incredible work they do every day. It’s a chance to give back to an organization that gives so much to our community, often when we need it most. Your vote helps ensure they can continue offering this vital care to others in the future.

Aim of charity
Neuroblastoma is a rare childhood cancer. Most cases occur in children under the age of five. For many children their neuroblastoma has already spread to distant parts of their body by the time they are diagnosed, making it one of the hardest paediatric cancers to treat successfully.

Solving Kids' Cancer's aim is to help those affected by neuroblastoma, an often aggressive and deadly childhood cancer by:

- Initiating and funding best-in-class clinical research 
- Providing hope, information, and support to families throughout their cancer journeys 
- Raising awareness of childhood cancer, advocating and campaigning for positive change 

If successful, and if possible I would be grateful if the donation could be made into the J-A-C-K named fund on Solving Kids' Cancer. This is a fund in name of a beloved, son, brother and friend Jack Brown. - https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/children/j-a-c-k/


Reason for nominating this charity
Solving Kids' Cancer (SKC) was established as a neuroblastoma charity in 2006 (initially called 2Simple Trust) in support of Richard and Yvonne Brown - parents of my friend Jack Brown - seeking to fundraise to access treatment abroad for Jack as he had run out of treatment options in the UK.

I was lucky enough to not only know Jack but also be close friends with him in the short time that he had. When we were just 3.5 years old, Jack was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma and fought this awful disease for over 3 years, going abroad for various treatment, to try and give him the very best chance of beating it. Despite trying all possible treatment, Jack's neuroblastoma continued to progress and he sadly passed away in Vermont in May 2009.

After Jack passed away, his family set up their own charity called Joining Against Cancer in Kids (J-A-C-K), a charity I spent lots of time fundraising for throughout primary school and more recently a charity my family continued to support with my brother running the annual JACKs PACK half marathon in New York. J-A-C-K has recently amalgamated with SKC.

This is a charity that means a great deal to me and one I’ll always hold close to my heart. I urge you to take a moment to read Jack's story, https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/children/j-a-c-k/ , and see what such a generous donation could do to help continue vital research, clinic trails and the incredible work SKC do for families like Jack's.

Aim of charity
Somerset Sight is the only local Somerset organisation providing immediate specialist, practical and emotional support for visually impaired and blind people in the large rural county of Somerset and on the Devon borders. Our 10 core services are taken into the community for easy access ( people with sight loss cannot drive and public transport in Somerset is minimal) and are designed to promote and empower independence, build resilience and confidence, make the best use of remaining sight, reduce loneliness and isolation, provide structure and purpose and enable people to live a full and active life.

600 new people are referred each year. 80% of service users are over 75 years old. 40% live alone. Losing sight is very debilitating. You are unable to drive, read, or watch TV. You are unable to recognise friends or family in detail. Negotiating pavements and walkways, steps both up and down, and changes in light is especially trying and hazardous, which can lead to falls, bruising, spillages and lack of confidence. Lack of confidence and not feeling safe, leads to keeping within the safe boundaries of your own home, isolation and loneliness, anxiety, depression and a steep decline in health, both general and mental.
1500 people each month, with various degrees of sight loss and many with other long term impairments such as hearing loss, lack of mobility, dexterity or cognitive ability, select from our services and take up the support which best suits their individual circumstances. There is a wealth of experience and knowledge within staff and volunteers at Somerset Sight which makes service users feel well supported. 12 staff members, highly trained and experienced, 30% with lived experience. 328 volunteers provide more than 2000 hours of one to one support each month. Volunteers thrive on their role and feel well rewarded and fulfilled.


Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 2 colleagues

Somerset Sight has been nominated for its exceptional work supporting people living with sight loss across Somerset. Colleagues described it as a true community, a place where people feel seen, heard, and supported. They highlighted how the charity delivers real, tangible change, with every donation going directly toward services that matter, such as helping individuals navigate their homes safely, providing emotional support, and creating opportunities for social connection and joy.

The nomination also emphasised the scale and depth of their impact: around 600 new people are referred each year, with 80% of service users over 75 and 40% living alone. Sight loss can be profoundly debilitating, leading to isolation, anxiety, and a decline in health. Somerset Sight addresses these challenges head-on, supporting over 1,500 people each month through tailored services. Their team includes 12 highly trained staff (30% with lived experience) and an incredible network of 328 volunteers who provide more than 2,000 hours of one-to-one support monthly.
Together, these reasons show why Somerset Sight deserves recognition: it transforms lives through practical help, emotional care, and a strong sense of community, ensuring that people facing sight loss feel safe, confident, and valued.

Aim of charity
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Reason for nominating this charity
We are proud to nominate Special Olympics Labuan, a local chapter under Special Olympics Malaysia, for this award. Special Olympics empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power of sport. Classified under NTEE code N72 (Recreation & Sports), it delivers year-round training and competitions that foster inclusion, confidence, and community.
Beyond athletics, Special Olympics advances health, education, and leadership opportunities, creating a world where every person is accepted and valued. Its global impact breaks barriers and inspires unity through programs that celebrate ability—not disability. By championing diversity and resilience, Special Olympics demonstrates how sport can drive social change and improve lives.
As Howden operates in Labuan through three entities, we are committed to giving back to the community where we conduct business. Our focus is on initiatives that promote inclusion, health, and well-being. Supporting organizations like Special Olympics aligns with our values of empowerment and diversity, while fostering opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to thrive through sports and community engagement.

Aim of charity
They offer world class palliative and end of life care to everyone who needs it, whenever or wherever that may be. They are also there for the people closest to those in palliative care to support them. They rely on donations to care for their patients and those close to them.

Reason for nominating this charity
They helped care for my nan, which meant she could be at home with her family during her final months which is what she wanted. They are an incredible charity.

Aim of charity
Provides specialist palliative and end of life care to local people facing incurable illness in North East Essex, supporting them, their families, friends and carers.

Reason for nominating this charity
They have supported various family members and friends - including my Mum in 2023 after terminal cancer diagnosis
They have had their funding cut which means they have had to reduce the number of beds they can offer - which are desperately needed in the community to provide dignified care of their patients and help family members going through difficult circumstances.

Aim of charity
We deliver expert palliative care to adults with life-limiting conditions, whether at our hospice, at home, or in the wider community. We support families before, during, and after bereavement, helping them navigate the challenges of caregiving, loss, and grief. Everyone deserves to be treated with comfort, compassion, and respect when they’re being cared for. Our care makes a real difference, ensuring patients experience symptom relief and are treated as a person, not just a diagnosis, while families receive the emotional and practical support they need during and after their loved one’s
journey. At the heart of our work is the ‘St Michael’s Way’, a distinctive care approach grounded in knowledge, integrity, and respect. We empower patients and families to make informed decisions, ensuring personalised, compassionate, and high-quality care at every step.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 3 colleagues
One colleague shared that St Michael’s Hospice provided care for their family members and spoke highly of the charity’s compassion and professionalism. Another highlighted the incredible effort of the fundraising team, noting how hard they work to secure the resources needed to support the hospice’s vital services. They also emphasised that this is a smaller, local charity that deserves recognition and would benefit from stronger connections for future events.

A third colleague described a deeply personal experience, explaining that all of their grandparents were cared for by St Michael’s Hospice. Most recently, their grandmother received support when she became terminally ill. The hospice not only provided physical care but also prioritised mental and social wellbeing, ensuring she felt like a person rather than just a patient. They also supported the family throughout, while continuously striving to improve the quality of care.

Together, these perspectives show why St Michael’s Hospice matters: it combines exceptional care, community support, and relentless dedication to improving lives at the most vulnerable times.

Aim of charity
St Peter’s Hospice is a Bristol charity caring for adults with life-limiting illnesses. We aim to improve the quality of their living and dying while extending care and support to their families and loved ones. We provide physical, psychological and spiritual care for our patients in their own homes as well as at the Hospice. We also teach other healthcare professionals about how to care for people at the end of their lives. All of our care is provided free of charge, but it costs us around £19,000 a day to provide that care. For most of this money we rely on Gifts in Wills, donations, fundraising and our shops.

Reason for nominating this charity
My grandfather passed away about 10 years ago and towards the end of his life he was placed into St peters hospice who treated him with the utmost care, respect, humanity and compassion. It felt like they were looking after one of their own family, and they treated us family members with equal compassion. The fact all of the staff were volunteers was truly mesmerizing and i cannot praise the work they do highly enough.

Aim of charity
The role of St James's Hospital Foundation is to facilitate and attract private investment to support the work of the Hospital. Donations to the Foundation are used to enhance facilities, support, innovation and research, provide education and training for hospital employees and elevate the standard of care for all patients.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am nominating this charity as, just before Christmas last year, my brother was diagnosed with Leukaemia... for the second time. To say that this was massive shock to my family in Ireland would be an understatement. Coupling this with myself being alone in New Zealand and away from my family network and anything urgent that could have happened (thankfully it did not) this was an incredibly stressful period in our lives. Thankfully, and with the amazing care that St James's Hospital provided both to him and also my ageing parents (who would be waiting at the hospital nearly every day for good news and updates on my brothers condition) he is out of the woods, and is cancer-free. The foundation has provided much needed care during and ongoing to my brother and my family in the form of check-ins, counselling services and promoting the wellbeing of not only my whanau, but also that of others in need at this incredibly busy hospital. The tireless work that this hospital and foundation provides to its beneficiaries is just life changing. It can literally save lives. And for them, for saving my brother, I am eternally grateful.

Aim of charity
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of the founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay. St. Jude specializes in care for some of the toughest pediatric cases, all while investing in resources and technologies for cutting-edge scientific research. And families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
Unlike other hospitals, the majority of funding for St. Jude comes from generous donors.


Reason for nominating this charity
The main reason for nominating is to amplify an incredible non-profit, with a global presence. In the US, DUAL has raised over $85,000 this year to support the young patients of St. Jude and their families along with many volunteer hours, and hundreds of "No More Chemo" kits created. It would be a joy to push our contribution past the $100k mark with Howden's support.

It's a global organization supporting young patients and families around the world, which is a cause we can all rally behind. St. Jude Global brings together individuals and institutions dedicated to improving the quality of care and increasing survival rates worldwide for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases, including sickle cell disease.

Aim of charity
"Staffie and Stray Rescue (SSR) specialise in taking in more difficult dogs that are considered in the rescue world harder to rehome. Many of the dogs come from the pounds, they are dumped and unclaimed.
Staffie and Stray Rescue also campaign to help change people’s negative attitudes towards Staffordshire bull terriers, who are often portrayed as dangerous dogs in the media. Through campaigning, we hope to encourage more people to rehome the breed.
The rescue also works with local dog wardens and the best dog behavioural therapists in the area to ensure that all dogs in need find the perfect home and happy ever after that they deserve.
Although predominantly a Staffie rescue, Staffie and Stray Rescue will never turn away other dog breeds that need their help.

Reason for nominating this charity
Such a lovely local charity that does great work. Calli the founder passed away in 2022 and her family continue to run the rescue in her memory

Aim of charity
star*: tackling adversity in childhood.
We help young people to build resilience through positive relationships with trusted adults in safe spaces.
We make it possible for young people and families to overcome the impact of complex trauma through playing rugby, building relationships and a sense of belonging.
We work with a number of young people in targeted ways to mitigate the effects of complex trauma, and our 2025/2026 focus is increasing female participation in rugby. #YourBodyYourGame is the belief that every girl's body is a rugby body – strong, capable, and uniquely hers.
Our goal is to see equal participation in rugby at grassroots level.
We enhance grassroots rugby coaches and volunteers’ understanding of trauma, so that they are more skilled in bringing adversity-experienced communities into the rugby family.
star* scheme, started from a single rugby club in 2021 and now we work across the country with over 1000 young people and families.

Reason for nominating this charity
Star Scheme helps young people to build resilience through positive relationships with trusted adults in safe spaces. They make it possible for young people and families to overcome the impact of childhood or community adversity through play, relationships and the feeling of belonging.

They provide a variety of rugby experiences in community settings, including local schools, to get young people active and excited about playing Rugby. They
reduce barriers such as arranging transport to clubs, sourcing kit and equipment and subscriptions as well as connecting families with community services such as the police, social services, NHS and outreach programmes.

Star Scheme, trains coaches and volunteers to better support adversity-experienced young people when they arrive at the club.

They aim to create catalyst for social change, and recognise that trauma and adversity is indiscriminate and often invisible. They increase participation of specific groups of young people, including those with additional needs, marginalised race and ethnic groups and young people exposed to violence

Aim of charity
Open Emergency and Rehabilitation Schools to provide relief in the world's most complex humanitarian crises. Through a holistic care approach and a cutting-edge Education Method, respond to basic needs by restoring the rights to childhood and freedom, before it's too late.

Reason for nominating this charity

I admire him because he’s young, yet he’s already done more for humanity than many do in a lifetime. He founded Still I Rise, an organization that doesn’t just offer aid, but provides world-class education to refugee children, giving them the tools to change their own future. He didn’t stop at obstacles: he fought for those living in inhumane conditions, he spoke out, he built schools in war zones, and he helped shut down degrading refugee camps.

I admire him because he doesn’t seek applause — he seeks impact. He’s received prestigious awards — like the Nobel Peace Prize nomination and the Mother Teresa Memorial Award — yet he never stopped working on the ground, listening to children, one by one.

I admire him because he reminds us that heroism isn’t in grand gestures, but in the consistency of doing good. He teaches us that social justice isn’t a dream, but a responsibility. He shows us that even one person, armed with empathy and determination, can change the world.

Aim of charity
We are a fully donation-based organization that works with vets to spay/neuter animals from low-income families, strays, and animals living in shelters (they are run by people with no government support so they always struggle with funds for food, meds, etc.). In other words, we focus on animals that otherwise won’t be fixed. We have neutered & spayed over 15,000 dogs and cats to date and we need you help to continue our mission.

Aim of charity
Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. We are a safe and reassuring hand you can reach for. From providing care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, we know there is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. We can make a positive difference during even the darkest of times. Whether in the last months, weeks or days of life, or living with grief, we help people live the best life they possibly can. We are there when it matters. We take the time to understand what’s important to people and give them choice and control over their care. This might be providing care for someone at the end of their life, in our hospices or at home. Or helping someone manage their grief when they’ve lost a loved one. We want to provide more care for more people when it really matters. We see a future where our palliative care reaches more communities; where we can help more people begin to cope with bereavement; and where everyone can access the quality of care they deserve.

Reason for nominating this charity
St. Johns, Moggerhanger cared for one of my parents before they passed as well as other family members, friends and dear colleagues.

Aim of charity
The purpose of Suffolk Prickles Hedgehog Rescue is to further conservation and preservation of the hedgehog species by providing a rescue, care and rehabilitation service for sick, injured or orphaned hedgehogs with the aim to releasing such hedgehogs back into the wild wherever possible.

Reason for nominating this charity
In September 24 I rescued 5 baby hedgehogs. Suffolk Prickles took them in. Sadly only 3 survived but when they were ready for release back into the wild they came home to me and I provided them with everything they needed to thrive with all the advice the charity had given me, but there are only so many they can help. With hedgehogs facing extinction they need all the help they can get. Small charities doing their best to make a difference often get overlooked with fundraising. I'd really love to help them continue their great work.

Aim of charity
The Cancer Foundation Finland is the largest private funder of cancer research in Finland. It is a charitable foundation and has had an important influence in developing cancer research and cancer control in the country. Through its grants, the Cancer Foundation Finland supports cancer prevention and work to benefit cancer patients. Along with the Cancer Society of Finland, the Foundation exerts an influence on national cancer policy and wants to ensure that patients have good treatment, status and benefits.

Reason for nominating this charity
The Cancer Foundation Finland plays a vital role in improving lives across the country. It provides essential support to individuals and families affected by cancer while funding ground-breaking research to advance treatment and prevention. As the leading private supporter of cancer research in Finland, the Foundation has a proven track record of impact and innovation. We believe it is an organization truly worthy of strong support, and we are proud to endorse it as a recipient of our company’s donations.

Aim of charity
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans is run by volunteer London black taxi drivers and has been supporting thousands of veterans since 1948. We are the only Forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment. We arrange free events for veterans from all conflicts, including trips to the Netherlands and France for acts of commemoration, and days out to museums, concerts or social outings across the UK. ​Our volunteer cabbies generously give their time to support our organised trips and events for veterans. In 2021, the Taxi Charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service; and in 2023, we celebrated our 75th anniversary - a remarkable milestone for a small, niche charity peopled by enthusiastic volunteers. To fund and facilitate these outings, the charity is wholly reliant on donations from members of the public, businesses and trusts and the amazing group of London taxi drivers who volunteer their time and vehicles so willingly.

Reason for nominating this charity
My family has a long connection since 1948 with the charity as my Grandparents started with the Royal British Legion and the charity the annual taxi outing to Worthing via my home village of South Holmwood. This role has since passed onto my parents, myself and my sister. The charity does not get the recognition it deserves.

Aim of charity
Young people with cancer need specialised nursing and emotional support. Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity meeting this critical need. Right now we can only help half of young people with cancer with our world-leading nursing

Reason for nominating this charity
The teenage cancer trust give young people who are undergoing long-term treatment a brief respite from their treatment by providing entertainment and social events for the young people on the cancer wards during a time which is more horrendous than what could ever be put into words. They also arrange for family short trips whilst they are still undergoing treatment so that families can spend quality time together - which we all take for granted when in good-health. They provide an enormously beneficial ray of light during the darkest of times for families, and help build the young person's confidence with social events when they have missed out on so much during their treatments.

Aim of charity
For teenagers and young adults, cancer is a lonely and isolating experience, and it brings a specific set of challenges at a key developmental stage of their life.
It impacts their mental and physical health, friendships, appearance, education, employment, aspirations, and sense of belonging.
But through Teens Unite, they face everything cancer throws at them, together.

When key milestones are missed, their independence is taken away, and their life is put on hold, Teens Unite prevents cancer from dictating their years as a teenager and young adult, and defining the future ahead.

Whether a young person is currently going through cancer, or has experienced it in the past, our long-term support provides opportunities to learn new skills, find friendship, challenge themselves, and rebuild their lives, in a supportive space where everyone understands what each other is going through. ​


Reason for nominating this charity
Teens unite is a local charity to me and over the years have seen them grow from a small office, into innovative fundraising solutions. Such as utilising an empty police station with cells as a police themed cafe. To working with large names on seasonal clothing waste and opening charity shops with brand new clothes from tesco and other large retailers. Local santa races are highlights of the town and most recently they have raised enough funds to purchase a property to convert this into a residential centre for young children with and effected by cancer.

The funding for childhood cancers in the UK is relatively small and I have raised money personally for a local young girl who could only get treatment in the US. I also funded a sightseeing trip for her and her mum whilst in New York for one of her treatments. it just so happened I was in New York for work whilst they were out their for her treatment. That occasion she was too ill to do much sightseeing but she went the following time. Watching her from a distance go through the hard an tough journey of fighting cancer, having her ovaries removed at the age of around 6 due to the damage the treatment was causing to her body. The newly planned Teens Unite residential centre will be for children and families like her and such a valuable asset to the south of the UK. The Home of Teens Unite will be the first dedicated retreat in England for teenagers and young adults living with cancer. The Howden Charity Award would be a huge support to their phased plans with the development, and activity centre is due to open in spring 2026.

I will be volunteering with Teens unite when I can and continuing to fundraise for them. They are experiencing a 48% increase annually in the number of teenagers registering for their support. for every one child they can help, nine more are still waiting, their plans once complete will change this. Any donation will help.

Aim of charity
Back Up is a national charity that provides services and support for anybody affected by a spinal cord injury (SCI). Every 8 hours someone in the UK will be told they will never walk again as a result of a spinal cord injury. It can affect anybody at anytime. It is usually sudden and unexpected, often caused by something as simple as a car accident or a fall. We understand that a spinal cord injury can be devastating, but we believe it shouldn't prevent anybody getting the most out of life. Founded 30 years ago, Back Up has developed and evolved, over the years, to offer the right support to anybody with a spinal cord injury, including their family members - regardless of their age and level of injury. Our award-winning services currently include mentoring, wheelchair skills training and activity courses. Back Up also provide support in getting back to work or school after an injury. All of our services are designed to inspire confidence and independence, and provide a supportive network of people who understand their situation. Back Up are the only UK Charity with a dedicated under 18s service for children with an SCI offering courses, mentoring and support getting back to school. In 2015/16, we reached 800 new people with spinal cord injury – equivalent to about 80% of people injured. Back Up now support more young people, family members and people over 50 than ever before and we are striving to reach everyone who needs us.

Reason for nominating this charity
In 2016, while working at RKH Specialty, my life changed forever in an instant. A spinal cord injury left me paralysed from the rib cage down, a reality that felt impossible to comprehend. Overnight, everything I thought I knew about independence, confidence and what my future would look like was turned upside down. In those early days, I was lost. But then I found Back Up. Back Up is a small but life-changing charity that supports people affected by spinal cord injury to rebuild their confidence, independence and sense of purpose. They don't just provide practical help, they help people live again. From wheelchair skills training to mentoring to family support they brought hope when it was needed most. For me, Back Up helped me rediscover who I was. They showed me that life on wheels could still be full, active and meaningful, that there were still adventures to be had, goals to chase and ways to give back. I wouldn't be where I am today without them. That is why I am asking you to vote for Back Up in this year's Charity awards. Your vote could help more people, like me, find their way through the hardest moments of their lives. It could fund vital rehabilitation programmes, peer mentoring and support for families who suddenly find themselves navigating a completely different world. Every vote matters and every bit of support helps someone find the strength to roll forward with hope. Please vote for Back Up. Help them keep changing lives.

Aim of charity
The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we're moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We're set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. We fund pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment options. We raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours to get earlier diagnosis and to help families cope with everything that the diagnosis of a brain tumour brings. We provide support for everyone affected so that they can live as full a life as possible, with the best quality of life. The Charity is committed to having the biggest possible impact for every person affected by a brain tumour, to defending the most amazing part of the human body, so that getting the diagnosis of a brain tumour no longer means a death sentence. We believe that fighting brain tumours on all fronts through research, awareness and support is the only way to save lives, reduce long term disabilities and help everyone with a brain tumour and their families cope with everything that the diagnosis of a brain tumour brings.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 6 colleagues

Several colleagues shared deeply personal reasons for nominating The Brain Tumour Charity. One spoke of losing someone close to their family at just 11 years old, while another highlighted that two team members have had family affected by brain tumours. Others described heartbreaking experiences, including losing a brother to a medulloblastoma at age 11 after years of treatment, and losing an aunt, a daughter’s father, and a close friend to glioblastoma. One colleague shared how their father-in-law was diagnosed in late 2023 and passed away in March 2025, leaving a young family devastated. Another is currently watching their best friend fight a brain tumour, emphasising the urgent need for more research into the biggest cancer killer of young people.

Colleagues also praised the charity’s impact, noting its HeadSmart campaign, which reduced diagnosis times from 13.5 weeks to 6.5 weeks, saving countless lives. They stressed that brain tumours receive very limited funding compared to other cancers, making it vital to support focused charities driving early diagnosis, better treatments, and ultimately a cure. Together, these voices show why The Brain Tumour Charity matters: it combines research, advocacy, and practical support to change outcomes for families facing one of the most devastating diseases.

Aim of charity
The Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre formerly the Animal Rescue Group, Wokingham, was founded over 50 years ago. For a large part of that time animals rescued by the Charity were kept at the home of Mrs Brimblecombe, who was awarded the MBE in 2001 for services to Animal Rescue.
Whilst the staff and supporters of the Charity have done a magnificent job over the years, helping thousands of unwanted, stray and neglected animals, the operational aspect of the rescue has been continually expanding throughout this time, and it became clear that it could no longer function in the cramped and difficult conditions of Mrs. Brimblecombe's back garden! It is almost impossible to raise the funds necessary to keep the Rescue even ticking over, but some incredibly generous legacies enabled the charity to seek a permanent, independent site for a properly equipped Rescue Centre where our animals could receive the best of care, and in May 2003 we relocated to Hurst, where our animals are accommodated in specially adapted and purpose-built accommodation on a 14 acre site.

Reason for nominating this charity
They charity is running in the negative and needs funds to keep going. The work they do is needed to help look after animals and get them new homes.

Aim of charity
The Ehlers-Danlos Society is a global organization dedicated to advancing and accelerating research and education in Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD).
They support the development of effective and equitable EDS and HSD therapies and work collaboratively to improve the lives of individuals affected by EDS and HSD.

Reason for nominating this charity
My finance suffers with this (along with other health issues) so i see the impact and the struggle please with the condition go through each day

Aim of charity
The Felix Project is London’s largest food redistribution charity, founded in 2016 in memory of Felix Byam Shaw. Driven by a dual mission, to rescue surplus food and feed people in need, it has grown exponentially, now delivering over 38 million meals annually to 1,200+ community organisations across the capital. In 2024, Felix rescued over 16,000 tonnes of surplus food, half of which reached the most deprived areas in London. The charity operates five depots and a central kitchen, supported by 13,000 volunteers who contributed 150,000 hours of service. Felix’s impact is not just operational, it’s systemic. It advocates for policy reform, including mandatory food waste reporting and tax incentives for surplus donations. Felix’s vision is bold: a London where no one goes hungry and no good food goes to waste. Its work transforms surplus into sustenance, stigma into solidarity, and charity into shared responsibility.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 18 colleagues

The Felix Project has been nominated by 18 colleagues for its extraordinary impact, which goes far beyond food. Every day, the charity rescues surplus food and redistributes it to over 1,200 organisations across London, feeding hundreds of thousands of people each week. Their work is not just logistical—it is deeply human. They meet food poverty with compassion and food waste with purpose, treating every delivery as an act of care to ensure that every person is seen, respected, and valued. What sets The Felix Project apart is its relentless commitment to doing things properly. From strategic partnerships with major corporates to grassroots collaborations with schools and shelters, they build systems that restore pride and resilience. Their efforts strengthen the social fabric of London, one meal at a time, helping families feel supported, children feel safe, and individuals regain a sense of belonging. For their extraordinary compassion, operational excellence, and transformative impact, The Felix Project is more than deserving of this recognition.

Aim of charity
The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps), founded in 1907, is an all-female voluntary organisation which deploys multi-faceted rapid response teams to support civil and military authorities in times of crisis. It is a vibrant organisation, with a diverse membership. The members are on call 24/7, 365 days a year to be of service to those who need us. Although for the last 100 years the FANY have moved away from nursing, compassion is central to what we do. FANYs train every week to ensure that they can provide surge relief to civil and military authorities in times of crisis. FANY also deploy in support of non-emergency operations and routinely assist organisations with their training to help keep our members sharp and to forge working relationships.

Reason for nominating this charity
I have been a member of the FANY for over 15 years. Every year I use the matched giving and have never put forward the charity for any further sponsorship. This year I was at the Lloyd's Remembrance Service The FANY (PRVC) and Andrew Hall recommended that I put forward the charity. The FANY is an independent, voluntary organisation and registered charity, which relies on membership subscriptions and the goodwill of our supporters to enable us to operate effectively. FANY (PRVC) volunteers gave 1,000+ days of support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and provided support to the funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Members have also supported Afghan evacuees and the British Red Cross response to Ukrainian refugees. The donations help us the FANY to provide rapid response teams to civil and military authorities in times of national crisis.

Aim of charity
The Genie’s Wish is a UK-registered charity, operating since 2021. Our purpose is to enhance the lives of people who have a terminal or critical illness or a life-limiting medical condition. The scheme is open to people aged 0-40 living in England and Wales. We love bringing a little respite and a lot of joy into the lives of our recipients – and their families – by providing them with a life-changing wish, an ongoing opportunity or a fun experience.

We also grant wishes – including experiences, special events, and group activities – for young carers aged 5-18, in recognition of their bravery, kindness and selflessness in caring for a family member.

Reason for nominating this charity
I would love to nominate The Genie's Wish, as they are a local charity who we already try our best to support in branch, they are a non-profit who look to grant wishes to young individuals who are already young carers, or suffering with life limiting/chronic or long term medical conditions.

Aim of charity
Their work supports people struggling with homelessness and issues relating to hardship, including addiction, mental health and wellbeing. As well as giving practical support, their holistic approach focuses on helping people to help themselves. They also work within the local community with projects aimed at early intervention.

Reason for nominating this charity
Simply, they are amazing. They rely purely on donations - I did a Big Sleep Out for them earlier in the year (think cold, snow, sleet, rain - we had it all that night!!), and the work they do at their premises and within the community is brilliant.

Aim of charity
The Lullaby Trust provides specialist support for bereaved families, promotes expert advice on safer baby sleep and raises awareness on sudden infant death. Working with the NHS we run a national health-visitor led service for bereaved parents, Care of Next Infant (CONI) programme, which supports families before and after the birth of their new baby. We are committed to supporting research to understand why 600 babies a year die suddenly and unexpectedly in the UK and to find out more about how to prevent these tragic deaths. The Lullaby Trust operates nationwide across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We campaign tirelessly, lobbying government to keep sudden infant death on the public health agenda. Since we formed as The Foundation for the Study of Sudden Infant Deaths in 1971 we have been pivotal in reducing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by 70%.

Reason for nominating this charity
An amazing charity which helps people at the most difficult time, loosing a child. My close friends have sadly had to use this charity twice, they really helped to support them. I would love them to win as a tribute to what would be George's 2nd birthday today.

Aim of charity
The Macular Society is the leading charity fighting to end sight loss caused by macular disease, which affects a person’s central vision. Every day over 200 people in the UK face the shock of a diagnosis of macular disease.


Reason for nominating this charity
Macular disease, is the number one cause of sight loss in the UK, affecting around 700,000 people.
Macular conditions take away the ability to do many things we take for granted, such as reading a good book, seeing the faces of your loved ones, or maintaining the simple independence we all value. It's a difficult and life-changing diagnosis - and one personally significant to me, as my mum has been living with the most severe and aggressive form of age-related macular degeneration.

By voting for Macular Disease Society, we're not just donating money; we're giving people their lives back.

The Macular Disease Society funds incredible, pioneering research to find better treatments and, hopefully, a cure. Even more importantly, they offer things like emotional support, practical advice, and local community groups so people don't have to face this daunting journey alone.

Aim of charity
At the Matt Gallagher Foundation, our mission is to strive to beat Motor Neurone Disease by providing vital support, hope, and resources to individuals and families affected by MND in the West Midlands.

Reason for nominating this charity
Inspired by Matt's journey since his diagnosis in October 2023, we are dedicated to improving quality of life, raising awareness, and funding research to one day overcome this disease. As a family-founded charity, we are committed to building a compassionate community that empowers those facing MND

Aim of charity
• To deliver and run ground-breaking mental health programmes, giving the expertise to share what works
• To help by offering straightforward information and tools for everyone
• To produce authoritative reports and evidence used by government and the media
• To influence policymakers and advocate for change.

Reason for nominating this charity
I have suffered from generalised anxiety disorder and depression for almost my entire adult life - it is an unseen killer, especially in Men (men are 2x more likely to struggle with mental health and resort to suicide than women). I have experienced firsthand how difficult it is to find the appropriate resources, guidance and tools needed to get help, especially when feeling low or vulnerable. The Mental Health Foundation was one of the first charities which helped to point me in the right direction, in relation to tools and support for anxiety and depression. Their funding goes directly towards conducting detailed research into mental health conditions, and raising awareness and lobbying for government policy change to help society.

Aim of charity
The Paul Alan Project was created to prevent more cardiac arrest deaths in the UK; by raising awareness of the signs of a cardiac arrest, providing basic lifesaving training for FREE and raising funds for the provision and installation of public access defibrillators and bleed control kits so bystanders can feel empowered to help in a medical emergency and have access to the appropriate kit to save lives.

Reason for nominating this charity
I was inspired by the founders story, who set up the charity after losing her dad at a Fulham football match to cardiac arrest in 2022. She has been on a selfless solo mission ever since, and it resonated with me having also lost my uncle in 2009 to cardiac arrest at the age of 37.

Aim of charity
One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. As demand for our services increases it is vital, now more than ever, that The Royal Marsden can continue to develop leading-edge treatments and provide excellent care for the increasing number of patients. We are committed to funding a number of key areas across the hospital and our supporters enable us to invest in life-saving research and world-leading treatments, so the hospital can deliver the very best care to patients. For example, thanks to our supporters The Royal Marsden is now the most comprehensive robotic cancer surgery centre in the UK. Patients now benefit from less invasive, shorter operations compared with open surgery, leaving them with fewer scars and enabling a quicker recovery. Charitable support has also enabled the hospital to establish the UK’s first Robotic Surgery Fellowship Programme. This trains surgeons from around the world, ensuring that even more patients will have access to the most effective care and treatment available.

Reason for nominating this charity
Following on from the above, I would like to nominate this charity for the Howden Foundation Charity Award as sadly for myself and my extended family, we have become very aware of what is is the charity can do and how they are tirelessly working on new research and treatments. My uncle very recently passed away, following over 10 years of cancer treatment - with the last 3 years owed to The Royal Marsden. The trial medication could not offer a cure, but offered the prospect and comfort of time. An additional 3 years with his loving wife and four children, plus time to carry on enjoying all that he loved - predominately, cricket! With often weekly visits to The Royal Marsden in Sutton, they were always kind and welcoming and made the whole experience a little more bearable. The Royal Marsden rely on charitable donations to continue their hard work and ongoing research and care for their patients. As they say on their charity website "your support is life saving"

Aim of charity
As a result of the cost of living crisis, some food banks have seen a dramatic rise in need.
Our dedicated teams of staff and volunteers are packing and delivering boxes of essential food supplies to those who need it most.
Using our local networks in communities across the UK, we are reaching people who can no longer feed themselves or their families and who are cut off from other sources of support.

Reason for nominating this charity
With food prices rising, I would like to nominate a charity that provides cost of living support.

Aim of charity
The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity with a vision of a world where every child has the opportunity to change their future. We help young Australians to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty - so they can create better futures.

Reason for nominating this charity
Giving all Australians the chance for an equality of educational opportunity regardless of background or financial position.

Aim of charity
The Somerville Foundation works with patients born with a heart condition (congenital), providing practical and emotional support, and enabling them to take control of their lives and manage their own heart condition. Thanks to advancements in medical treatment, today more and more people born with heart conditions are living longer, fuller, happier and healthier lives.

Reason for nominating this charity
Born with several congenital heart conditions myself, I have met many people during my life so far affected, and with support from charities like this we are living longer, and more fulfilling lives. My hope is, with more support, and further advances in treatment, that children born with similar conditions will have more options, and a near normal life expectancy.

Aim of charity
To provide free, high-quality cancer treatment and care for every child in Tanzania diagnosed with cancer. Their goal is to ensure no child suffers or dies unnecessarily from cancer by making curative and palliative care accessible across the country.

Reason for nominating this charity
Tumaini La Maisha should be considered for the Howden Foundation Charity Award because of its transformative impact on paediatric cancer care in Tanzania. The organization provides free treatment, emotional support, and advocates for early diagnosis, reducing mortality rates and improving survival from less than 10% to over 50%. Its mission aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to creating sustainable, life-changing impact in underserved communities.

By supporting TLM’s ambitious plan to expand to 30 partner centers nationwide, the Foundation will help ensure that no child is more than four hours away from life-saving care, addressing geographic inequality and promoting inclusive healthcare. TLM exemplifies measurable impact, transparency, and long-term sustainability, making it a deserving candidate for this award.

Aim of charity
Viva! is the UK’s leading vegan campaigning charity, specialising in undercover investigations and high-profile animal campaigns. Founded in 1994 by Juliet Gellatley, we have spent more than 25 years creating a kinder, more sustainable world for humans and animals alike.

Reason for nominating this charity
They are not part of the main stream of regular charities. They do great educational outreaches to the public. They are always looking for funding.

Aim of charity
Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity, provides cutting edge, life-saving equipment, family accommodation and arts, music and play therapy for patients and their families at Bristol Children’s Hospital. Since 1995, The Grand Appeal has generated over £40 million to transform the lives of sick babies and children at the Hospital and Special Care Baby Unit. Bristol Children’s Hospital is one of the UK’s leading children’s hospitals, treating over 100,000 patients every year from across the South West, South Wales and beyond with life-threatening illnesses, and serving as the paediatric intensive care centre for the whole South West region. The hospital is an international specialist centre of excellence for a range of services including neurosurgery, burns, cardiac, leukaemia and bone marrow transplants. The Grand Appeal provides ground-breaking facilities at the Hospital, including the South of England’s only 3T MRI scanner and intra-operative scanning suite, which has revolutionised the treatment of children with neurological conditions requiring highly complex surgery and a pioneering Cardiac Hybrid Theatre and Integrated Cancer Unit, meaning a sick child can receive all of their treatment in one place.

Reason for nominating this charity
Since late 2024, the Howden Bristol office has been proud to support The Grand Appeal, the official charity of Bristol Children’s Hospital. As one of the leading paediatric centres in the UK, the hospital provides critical care to children and families across the South of England and Wales. For many of our colleagues, this is not just a local cause - it’s a personal one, with several team members having direct connections to the hospital’s life-changing work.

Our journey with The Grand Appeal began with a simple idea: what if we turned our Secret Santa tradition into something more meaningful? That December, we pooled our festive funds and raised over £2,500 to provide hospital equipment and toys for children spending Christmas in hospital, and later, five Samsung tablets to support young patients throughout the year, which made a big impact over the Christmas period:

“Spending time in hospital at any time of the year is difficult but can be especially challenging at Christmas time. Howden’s generosity brought much needed smiles and festive cheer to patients and their families. And it’s not just joy your gifts brought; through the donations of consoles, games and distraction aids, you’ll be providing comfort and distraction to young patients undergoing often long and difficult treatments.

Thanks to Howden, our specialist Play Therapy team ensured that each and every patient received an exciting present on the big day, as well as having a fully stocked playroom for all future patients.

Thank you again for making Christmas sparkle for sick children in the hospital.” – Helen Haskell, Head of Fundraising – Corporate”.

In summer 2025, we joined one of Bristol’s most beloved traditions: the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail. This city-wide art event draws visitors from around the world to see over 50 unique sculptures of Aardman’s iconic characters. We proudly sponsored one of the statues - Bobby Dazzler - a collaboration made possible by teams across FLG, Health & Care, Employee Benefits, A-Plan Bristol, and SPF. Together, we contributed £9,800 + VAT, showing how deeply people value the work of the hospital and the Grand Appeal.

The impact was extraordinary. After the trail, our statue was auctioned for an incredible £65,000, the second-highest bid of the entire auction. Even more rewarding was the time our team spent volunteering at the exhibition tent, helping bring the magic of the trail to thousands of visitors.

Our support wasn’t a one-off. We’re already planning to repeat our festive donation drive this year, and we’re excited to continue finding new ways to support The Grand Appeal and the children and families it serves.

Aim of charity
The mission of Warrior Dog Rescue is to save the dogs that are homeless, left abandoned in shelters, are surrendered by their owners, those that are being abused and neglected, and those that are left wandering. We are committed to providing them the medical care they need, helping them to overcome their past by providing them loving, educated foster homes, finding them their perfect forever home by means of a thorough adoption process, and guiding them on their journey into their new life. They all deserve a “good dog life… every single one of them.”

Reason for nominating this charity
Every day, countless dogs face abandonment, neglect, and life-threatening conditions. This charity is dedicated to rescuing these vulnerable animals, providing them with urgent medical care, safe shelter, and the love they deserve. With $30,000, they could save more lives—fund critical surgeries, expand the foster network, and ensure every dog rescued has a real chance at a forever home. This grant isn’t just money—it’s hope, healing, and a second chance for hundreds of dogs who have no one else. Help them turn their stories from survival to joy.

Aim of charity
"Our mission is to help cats and kittens within our local area and to support the public with education on cats welfare"

Reason for nominating this charity
Wisteria are a cat charity well known in our local area and the founder, Billy is relentless in his support for cats and kittens throughout Medway and the surrounding towns. He will drop everything to leave his own home to rescue an animal in need regardless of the situation and will always advocate for cats and kittens that otherwise would have been abandoned or given up. I admire his dedication to the charity and I know that the award would make such a large difference to them as a small charity allowing them to take on extra support and cover the vets bills for the animals they protect.

Aim of charity
Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. Over the past 47 years, Women’s Aid has been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic abuse through practice, research and policy. We empower survivors by keeping their voices at the heart of our work, working with and for women and children by listening to them and responding to their needs.

We are a federation of over 170 organisations which provide just under 300 local lifesaving services to women and children across the country. We provide expert training, qualifications and consultancy to a range of agencies and professionals working with survivors or commissioning domestic abuse services. We hold the largest national data set on domestic abuse, and use research and evidence to inform all of our work. Our campaigns achieve change in policy, practice and awareness, encouraging healthy relationships and helping to build a future where domestic abuse is no longer tolerated.

Reason for nominating this charity
The trauma endured through domestic violence is something that doesn't ever fully go away, and that's if you're 'lucky' enough to get out of an abusive situation. From March 2023-2024, there were 83 female victims of domestic homicide. This charity gives these women and children a fighting chance.

Aim of charity
Wooden Spoon is the UK's leading grant-making charity dedicated to helping disabled and disadvantaged children and young people through rugby.

Reason for nominating this charity
Having worked with Wooden Spoon as part of the BIL partnership, they really are going the extra mile to support young people with disabilities in our local communities, providing them with opportunities and a chance to thrive

Aim of charity
At World Cancer Research Fund, we examine how diet, weight and physical activity can affect your risk of developing and surviving cancer. Our work helps people to live longer, happier and healthier lives – free from the devastating effects of cancer.

Reason for nominating this charity
Nominated by 2 colleagues

World Cancer Research Fund has been nominated for its incredible work in preventing cancer through research and education. Colleagues highlighted the charity’s life-changing impact, helping people live longer, healthier lives free from the devastating effects of cancer. They praised the organisation’s dedication and hard work, noting its commitment to improving health outcomes and reducing cancer risk globally. This nomination also reflects personal connections, one colleague shared how much the charity means to their family, while another is proudly running the 2026 London Marathon in support of its mission. Together, these perspectives show why World Cancer Research Fund deserves recognition for its vital role in creating a healthier future for all.

Aim of charity
NoToDogMeat Foundation is a UK and USA registered charity. We campaign to end the brutal use of dogs and cats for food and fur and run a rescue sanctuary in China. Every year we make the long sad trip to the Yulin Dog Meat Festival
We run education programmes in China, Cambodia, Philippines and beyond to promote kindness to animals. Our charity welcomes volunteers from around the globe who share our vision of change.

Reason for nominating this charity
Animals are among the most vulnerable beings on our planet, and the love, comfort, and unwavering support they offer humans is truly profound. As sentient creatures, they deserve our kindness, protection, and respect, not harm, pain, or exploitation.
For me personally, animals have played a vital role in helping me navigate mental health challenges. Their presence is grounding, healing, and deeply reassuring. I believe they also make an incredible difference in the lives of our military men and women, especially those coping with PTSD. The emotional connection and therapeutic value animals provide is something we should honour, not overlook.

Aim of charity
Our vision is of a world in which every child has the chance to live life to the full; where they are loved, protected and cared for, and enjoy good health and an education. Where they can live free from fear. For this to become a reality, we work alongside communities in close to 100 countries to bring about long-term change; we give children a voice in the places where decisions are made and we respond quickly to the emergencies that affect more than 250 million people around the world each year. As we do this, we focus on three key areas: child protection, child health and emergency response.

Reason for nominating this charity
I honestly believe in the work that this truly dedicated group of people are accomplishing in some of the worst affected areas of child poverty and would be so very grateful to be in with a chance to nominate this amazing charity for your award this year. My reason for nominating this charity is my husband & I have been involved for over 25yrs with this charity as child sponsors. We were extremely lucky to be part of an organised sponsor trip to meet our sponsor child in Uganda in Oct 2025 to witness first-hand the amazing work that is being done by World Vision (WV). From child welfare, nutrition, education, sanitisation are to name but a few. WV go out to the most vulnerable areas, initiate multi programs, to support the community by teaching them how to become self sufficient in all these areas these communities then become the educators and take on the work that WV have started. At the heart of it all is the children. WV are starting in a new area in the Solomon Islands and to know what a charity award could do to help get so many of these vital Projects off the ground would be amazing as we were so lucky to witness first hand how they make their donations work so hard for the most vulnerable. Thank you for your time.

Aim of charity
To address threats to our natural world, by looking to help the survival of rare species such as the almost extinct snow leopards, orang-utangs and giant pandas. The WWF are trying to combat climate change and promote sustainable use of natural resources, influencing policies that protect the natural world. They aim to help people help themselves to prosper in their own environments and provide support to stop endangered animals becoming extinct by putting a stop the exploitation and trophy hunting of the beautiful creatures.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am from a family of animal lovers who have been doing our bit for nature for decades. Whether it's making sure our resident hedgehog gets his nightly feed or my hard working Mum collecting stamps to raise money for polar bears in the Arctic circle. I am nominating this often forgotten charity as it does get shadowed by those more focussed our own human issues and problems when in actual fact our own planet is in critical danger and it needs immediate help to stop us all wiping ourselves out. The WWF are also trying to rescue the damage we are doing to the animal world caused by our greed and over consumption. They are helping us to help ourselves. On a more personal note, my Mum who did a lot of work for the WWF died last month and one of her requests was that I and my family carried on her support of the charity's good work wherever we could. This would be a wonderful sentiment to know that my employer Howden is helping to do that.

Aim of charity
An award winning Oxfordshire charity that believes people with learning disabilities and autism deserve to live life to the full! We offer a variety of services to those with mild to moderate needs including social clubs, activity days, residential holidays and a traineeship. These projects increase confidence and independence in our members as well as provide respite for families and carers.

Reason for nominating this charity
Through inclusive activities, training programs, and award-winning social enterprises like cafés and a bakery, Yellow Submarine helps individuals build confidence, gain independence, and develop vital life and work skills. Every vote supports a future where everyone—regardless of ability—has the opportunity to thrive, belong, and be celebrated.

Aim of charity
The Young Lives Foundation (YLF) is an independent children's charity dedicated to supporting young people, particularly those who are care-experienced. Its aim is to empower young individuals through effective advocacy, mentoring, and community support, ensuring they thrive and have opportunities to achieve their potential. YLF focuses on safeguarding the rights and needs of vulnerable children, helping them navigate challenges, and promoting their well-being and development.

Reason for nominating this charity
I am nominating the YLF because they are the only charity in Kent that provides all round support for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. When a young person finds themself in police custody, The YLF provides an Appropriate Adult to support them - on average they get 5 requests a day.

There are currently 2000 young people in care, who have to leave when they are 18. The YLF ensure they get support to find homes and jobs. The Legends youth clubs across Kent provide mentoring, experiences and learning opportunities that the young people are not able to access in the mainstream schools.

With Government funding cuts impacting on what can be provided and a growing demand for support, the YLF will greatly benefit from any additional funding to support more children.

Aim of charity
1 in 10 children and young people, an average of 3 in every classroom, suffer from a diagnosable mental illness such as depression, eating disorders or anxiety but thousands of these young people are not receiving the support they need. Despite 75% of enduring mental health problems beginning before the age of 18, only 0.7% of the NHS budget is specifically allocated to children and young people’s mental health services. Services are unable to cope with the demand; on average specialist mental health services are turning away nearly 25% of young people referred to them for treatment. Early intervention is vital to improve immediate and long term mental health, and to prevent children suffering further disadvantages including bullying, isolation, low self-esteem, being twice as likely to have difficulties in reading, spelling, mathematics and more likely to leave school without qualifications, and a reduced life expectancy of up to 20 years. That’s why the work of YoungMinds is more important than ever before. Founded in 1993, YoungMinds champion children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing across the UK. Driven by their experiences, we create change so that children and young people can cope with life’s adversities, find help when needed and succeed in life.

Reason for nominating this charity
My boy and his / our local football team (Danbury and Bicknacre Football Club Royals U10s) have taken it upon themselves to help support & spread the word of a YoungMinds, effectively switching the dynamic where a sponsor is sought to support the club and instead choosing to promote the charity, attending local media events, wearing logo on their shirts, referencing the cause in match materials and pledging to raise funds to support their mission. The team has players that relate to this charity, having a number of ADHD players, a few players with autism, plus a player with Tourette’s. The team is showing that no matter your struggles at this young age, you can achieve many things and with the charity they are showing you are not alone. Offering young people a different outlet to their own social environment (parents, school etc). This gives them a sense of independence and a safe space to discuss their feelings without concern over how this will be interpreted. Where Young Minds differs to many charities, I have personally been involved with, is with those they reach out to they feed back their experiences, via their Youth Panel, to drive their activities to really respond to what might have previously prevented them from seeking help, working to reduce hurdles or increase the charities visibility but partnering with local organisations. Seeing my boy, and his team, proudly wearing his kit (pic's available on request), supporting each other and supporting such a great cause brings me great pride. It would be great for Howden to provide them an extra helping hand.

Aim of charity
YWCA Central Alabama, founded in 1903, is a social justice organization that empowers women, eliminates racism and promotes peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Built upon that foundation of social justice are three pillars representing YWCA Central Alabama’s focus areas: (1.) community housing, (2.) child development and (3.) domestic violence services. Economic empowerment programs stretch across these pillars and supportive services wrap around them.

Reason for nominating this charity
I used to work for the YWCA Central Alabama and the work they do with domestic violence survivors along with women and children experiencing homelessness is vital for the Birmingham community. They not only have multiple shelters throughout the Central Alabama area they provide resources and tools for these women and children so can better themselves and futures for the long haul.

Aim of charity
ZAMDA is a small Irish charity that built and supports a small primary school, Sables Nua, in Kabwe, Zambia. This school caters for the most vulnerable children in Kabwe. It charges no fees and provides breakfast and lunch for all the children. ZAMDA , in tandem with the Salesians, built a number of classroom for a secondary school, St. Dominic Savio. A number of our pupils in the primary children will now be able to go to secondary free of charge. ZAMDA also supports pupils at several boarding schools. We have also constructed schools in Kangombe and Chileya for the local communities. ZAMDA continues to support Sables Nua. This year saw one of our former pupils become a teacher in our school. it also saw the first batch of graduates who came through the primary and secondary school. Of these, ZAMDA will be supporting 5 who plan to go to third level education. This is a big milestone in Zamda's history.
Zamda has also set up a class for children who come late to education or who are having difficulty with school. This class we call 1B and it gives children a chance to get some education. Pupils are assessed at the end of the school year to see if they can be integrated into mainstream school.

Reason for nominating this charity
I was lucky enough to visit this school as part of a project when I was in school myself. Every 2 years, groups of students from my school went to Zambia to help build the school to help these children in need get the education and care they need. Schools from all over Ireland do this regularly to help and it's a great cause. The children here have struggles, such as families being stricken with the AIDS crisis that most of us are fortunate enough to not deal with in our daily lives, and they shouldn't have to go through. We are just looking to give them every chance we can for them have the best opportunity to reach their potential in life by getting the education and food they need daily.