Generous readers of The Guardian have propelled the newspaper's 2025 Hope charity appeal past a remarkable £850,000 in donations, as the campaign enters its final days striving to hit a £1 million milestone.
Grassroots Charities Unite Against Division
The funds are being raised for five inspirational grassroots charities whose work directly confronts hatred and fosters community cohesion across the United Kingdom. The chosen partners are Citizens UK, The Linking Network, Locality, Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust, and Who is Your Neighbour?.
These organisations deliver practical projects designed to build empathy, trust, and positive change on critical local issues, ranging from affordable housing and youth clubs to arts initiatives and food banks.
Readers Respond to Rising Hostility
The appeal has clearly resonated with thousands of supporters concerned about increasing societal fractures. One donor emailed to express their worry about "the division being sown between people in the UK," adding that bringing people together is a powerful mitigation. Another stated they were "appalled hearing the hateful and divisive rhetoric from many politicians and people with power" and wanted to support those helping others regardless of background.
A further contributor highlighted the universal goal of neighbourliness and better understanding, remarking, "Wherever we come from, we are brothers and sisters, we are the human family." The appeal specifically aims to support voluntary groups campaigning against extremism, violence, anti-migrant rhetoric, and what has been described as a resurgence of "1970s-style racism".
Charity Work in Focus
The Guardian's coverage has shone a light on the vital work of these charities. This includes a dramatic account of how Citizens UK, alongside local faith groups, faced down a threatened racist attack on a Liverpool refugee support centre in 2024.
Another film featured the work of Locality member Back on the Map, a community organisation revitalising a Sunderland neighbourhood in the wake of far-right riots, also in 2024. Additional coverage has explored the art of difficult conversations around race and immigration with Who Is Your Neighbour?.
Gurinder Josan Singh, chair of the Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust, conveyed profound gratitude: "We are incredibly grateful to the Guardian readers for your generous support. We believe by funding local organisations at the forefront of the fight against hate and division, your donations will make a huge difference in bringing people together and building hope."
As the Hope appeal draws to a close, the collective effort of readers is providing crucial resources to organisations building bridges and countering hatred in communities nationwide.
