YOUR DONATIONS MEAN EVERYTHING
Poverty isn’t simple, and it’s not always easy to see. It’s behind so many of the issues that we work to tackle. The current cost of living crisis is pushing people who were already struggling further into poverty, so your support is more important than ever.
We believe those who are closest to the issues have the best solutions, so we work with them to build a better world.
The Work We Support
Your donations make a very real difference to people in the UK and around the world. Here are just a few stories about how people are changing their lives with your support.
The People we Fund Cards
Meet James
After the pandemic sent him on a downward spiral, James turned his life around and started his dream job at the rugby mental health charity that supported him.
Meet Chantal
For many years, Chantal’s life was very difficult. Employed as a houseworker, Chantal was the sole earner in her family, whilst also being expected to cook, clean and look after three children. When Shooting Touch arrived in Chantal’s village it helped her change her situation.
Meet Tayyaba
Born profoundly deaf, Tayyaba struggled throughout her childhood to communicate with her parents and often felt cut off from the outside world, until she found Slum Soccer.
Meet Lukholo
As a teenager, Lukholo frequently saw gangs and drug dealers operating around his neighbourhood and imagined that would be his future one day; until he found Fight with Insight.
HOW YOU HELP
All year-round, the money donated to Comic Relief works hard to support some incredible projects making a change to people's lives across the UK and around the world. In fact, over the past two years, Comic Relief funding has helped to support 11.7 million people, including:
How you help - BOXES
more than 750,000...
...people in the UK experiencing financial and material poverty to access advice and support.
more than 29,000...
...people who have experienced or are at risk of domestic abuse to access safe accommodation and specialist services.
more than 46,000...
...children and young people in the UK, and more than 8.1 million internationally.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
We believe that genuine impact needs focus and so we’ve identified four issue areas that are affecting people all around the world today and where we believe we can make the most difference. These are…
WHAT WE STAND FOR
SAFE PLACE TO BE
1 in 5 people around the world don’t have a safe place to be. We make sure people find a safe place to call home. We also challenge negative attitudes to homelessness and migration.
CHILDREN SURVIVE & THRIVE
Every year, millions of children die before their fifth birthday. We help children survive – tackling hunger, disease and abuse. And we help them thrive, working to give them the best possible start in life so they can play, learn and grow up healthy and strong.
SAFETY AND EQUALITY FOR WOMEN & GIRLS
Violence and abuse against women and girls is a global epidemic: it affects 1 in 3 women worldwide. We’re working towards a world where women and girls can fulfil their potential, and live free from violence, discrimination and fear.
BETTER MENTAL HEALTH
Every year, close to 1 billion people worldwide experience mental health problems. We help people get access to mental health services. We work to tackle the stigma people with mental health conditions so often face. And we push for governments to do more.
Our Funding Strategy
Every time you plan a bake sale, run a marathon or make a donation you help us fund organisations that tackle the key social issues of our time.
Read more about our funding strategy to learn about the types of projects we partner with to create a just world, free from poverty.
Other stories
Read past years' stories to learn more about the people and projects we work with.
Stories Archive
Meet Tracey
Seeing the struggles of single mums in her community, Tracey set up Guiding Hands. She’s been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure that no family goes without food.
Meet Renee
Renee and Norman spent twenty happy years together. But when Norman fell ill, and sadly passed away, Renee needed some more support. The British Red Cross makes sure Renee isn’t left on her own.
Meet Pendo
She’s just joined a course near her home on the coast of Kenya – and it could change her family’s life.
Meet James
When the first Covid-19 lockdown hit in March 2020, James lost his job and his relationship broke down. The School of Hard Knocks helped James out of a very dark place, giving him the opportunity to learn, rebuild his confidence and land his dream job.
Meet Velna
After discovering that she was HIV positive while pregnant with her first child, Velna knows how scary this can be. With the help of mothers2mothers, she now uses her own experiences to support other mums.
Meet Richie and Courtney
In Edinburgh, Richie and Courtney are helping people affected by homeless and addiction to get back on their feet.
Meet Ben
Ben started experiencing mental health issues in 2014. He sought help from the Nairobi-based Kamili Organisation, which offered support, counselling, and access to medication.
Meet Matilda
After her father died suddenly at home, Matilda, 13, turned to the Comic Relief-funded project Balloons in Devon to support her bereavement.
Meet Yvonne
Yvonne, 79, lives in Manchester and began visiting the African Caribbean Care Group after a life-changing injury.
Meet Donation & Lindo
When Lindo was 14 and homeless, outreach worker Donation helped him turn his life around through Nairobi-based I Care's education program.
Meet Kate
After battling breast cancer while caring for her mother, Kate rebuilt her confidence through a rugby club with the Comic Relief-funded organisation School of Hard Knocks.
Remembering Oliver
In October 2020, Oliver was just six weeks into his first term of A-levels when, without any warning, he unexpectedly took his own life.
Harbour Support Services
Harbour Support Services supports the mothers and children living in the refuges across Northeast England, and Comic Relief funds two early years practitioners who support women who are pregnant or with children under school age.