Launched on Tuesday 28th November 2023 (otherwise known as #GivingTuesday here in the UK), The Big Give is a match funding campaign which aims to make a big difference to the world’s big challenges. We (Alice Beverley and Rachel Staunton) have been working in small charities between us for over 20 years and wanted to point you in the direction of 5 contrasting charities that we believe are worthy of your support this week.
Photo credit Belinda Lawley (The London Youth Choirs performing at the Royal Albert Hall 2023)
- Trees for Cities is the only charity working in the UK and internationally to improve quality of life by planting trees. Did you know that an acre of mature trees absorbs the same volume of carbon monoxide as produced from a 26,000 mile car journey!? We think this is a cool charity (one of Alice’s fav’s) with an important mission that helps us all breathe better, so give them a check out. Find Out More
- Breathe- Arts Health Research is a charity who uses magic to help children who’ve had a brain injury or a stroke. It is a life changing program which is fun and engaging and makes such a difference. You could get your donation to Breathe DOUBLED this week as part of The Big Give- that really is magic! Find Out More
- The London Music Fund has a vision to transform under-served communities by enabling children to access high-quality music education. They are passionate about providing instruments and the expert tuition to young people who wouldn’t otherwise get a chance, and their track record is pretty amazing. Find Out More
- Kidney Care UK is a charity close to my heart (Rachel) as someone who suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease. I’ve seen first hand the challenges faced by kidney patients, especially those who are on long term treatments such as dialysis. Take it from someone who is plugged into a machine for 12 hours a week(!), any support you can give to make lives smoother for those in more need than me, would be awesome. Find Out More
- Last but not least are The London Youth Choirs (LYC). We might be biased but we think our family of 10 choirs, bringing hundreds of people from all over London, from many different backgrounds, to sing together each week is unique. We have seen first hand how singing has improved our own lives and we are in the business of making special memories for thousands of diverse young Londoner’s. This year we have over 120 of our families needing financial support to take part, so our Big Give campaign is addressing this need. Find Out More
Alice Beverley Alice is head of development at London youth choirs. Built from her own love of singing, she’s spent her career bringing new audiences to music, first through bringing new audiences to opera at the V+A through exhibition events programming, and for the last 4 years at LYC, raising money to support young people from all backgrounds to access musical opportunities
Rachel Staunton is Co Founder and Artistic Director of LYC, and a choir conductor by profession. She is obsessed with making singing accessible to as many young people from all different walks of life in London as possible, and dedicates her time and energy to this mission. In her spare time she attends City Hope Church, loves going out for a Chai Oat Latte, or can be found on her lunch break at the Brick Lane Bagel Shop!