Which charity to give to?

[sparklefarts]

I would usually ask on Facebook for recommendations but don't want to as I'm worried I'll be looking like I'm showing off..

Anyway, DH and I are in the lucky camp in that we've both got secure jobs, are still on full pay and have had a major drop in bills due to only paying 20% nursery fees and no petrol etc. We've saved quite a bit of money this month and likely next month too, we want to put some of this money to good use but are unsure of which charity to help?

NHS seems obvious but I'm worried that that's where everyone will be sending spare cash and other things will be overlooked? I am wondering if anyone has any ideas for other causes that are struggling at the moment?

Have foodbanks been bolstered or are they still struggling? Anyone know how I would find out if there is anything to help local businesses (Edinburgh) again I'd ask on Facebook but don't want to look like I'm virtue signalling!

Thanks 😊

Your local hospice could always use donations.

And you local air ambulance. Its funded entirely by donations.

What a lovely thing to do.

Your local food bank is a really good call. Here - in the SW - demand has more than doubled and because people aren't in the supermarkets so much, donations are harder to come by.

I only found out recently that hospices are only minimally helped by NHS, the rest is all self-funded. They are very busy at the moment.

Join your local 'nextdoor.co.uk', I wouldn't specifically ask on their about which charity, but you could ask about local foodbanks/hospices etc. Why not just google a local food bank and if you can, organise a shopping delivery for them?

As to which one to chose, its a personal choice. Do you have someone that had/has cancer, heart disease, stroke etc? Do you love animals? Sponsor a child abroad? Abused womens groups are asking for donations at this time

So many options, what’s close to your heart? Domestic abuse charities, children’s, the various go fund me’s making ppe. It’s a nice problem to have working out who to give your money to!

Yeah I'm aware it's a silly problem

There isn't anything specific. It's just we feel guilt that we're sitting here financially better off whilst so many peoples are suddenly struggling financially. I hate thinking about people suddenly not knowing how they will pay their rent of big food.

Maybe foodbanks is in line with how I feel then

Thank you for all the tips!

*pay their rent or buy food

Ahh, what a lovely thing to do! I work with a local homelessness charity and we are gearing ourselves up for a huge increase in need when landlords can start evicting again :-( Personally, I'd be tempted to look at local charities (which are often - although certainly not always!) more financially efficient than large national organisations. Foodbanks are a great call (lots of people aren't donating as much, and ours has had huge increase in request); women refuges; or possibly mental health support ... or homelessness/supporting those who are vulnerably housed...

PS You are right to be concerned about non-NHS charities btw - most are seeing a huge decrease in funds as people tighten their belts and/or donating to NHS causes - as well as most fundraisers having been cancelled (although lots of people are coming up with creative solutions in home)

Edinburgh NE Food Bank accept online monetary donations. (I am sure plenty of others do too, but that's one I that am aware of). edinburghne.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/

I'm fundraising for my local hospice, they heavily rely on donations which have obviously dropped. Maybe you could donate to your local hospice.

As does Edinburgh North West foodbank:
edinburghnw.foodbank.org.uk/

Shrub Coop also take donations via PayPal according to their website:
www.shrubcoop.org/about-us/

(Although they are currently closed, they are still asking for/accepting donations).
m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4213277742031147&id=733609666664656

Local Hospice
Local food bank
There are bound to be lots of small local charities.

I have donated to Doctors without Borders. Also made a donation to an appeal on Crowdfunder called something along the lines of "Masks for NHS heroes". It was set up by a group of doctors desperately trying to procure more PPE for NHS staff. It appears to be genuine and to have had some success. I do think it's appalling that we are in the position of doctors feeling the need to set up crowdfunders in order to have adequate PPE, but I wanted to do something to help people at the sharp end of all this.

Thank you all!

Edinburgh NE foodbanks is very close to home so I think that may be the way we go. Thanks @buttermilkwaffles

I'm also in Edinburgh, working from home on full pay, husband on full pay and outgoings much reduced. I donated to Red Cross UK (on the thinking that they'll have a good idea who needs help most and what help they need) and Care International (thinking about people in refugee camps).