Applications for The i Paper’s Christmas appeal are now open

The i Paper is today inviting charities to apply for our annual Christmas appeal. Charities operating throughout the UK are encouraged to apply. We are particularly keen to hear from those that really engage with their communities and can demonstrate that the work they do is transforming people’s lives. The i Paper is proud to have generous readers and previous appeals have raised huge sums and boosted the profile of the chosen charities. We raised a record £857,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)’s Ukraine appeal and we have since become a rapid response partner with the DEC. It costs just 34p to provide a nutritious school breakfast and The i Paper readers funded 2.8 million of them to feed hungry minds through our two appeals with the charity Magic Breakfast. Lucy Foyster has fundraised for Young Lives vs Cancer after benefiting from the charity (Photo: Young Lives vs Cancer) Last year’s “Home for Christmas” appeal with Young Lives vs Cancer smashed its target and raised just over £100,000 to help young people and their families facing a devastating cancer diagnosis. Rachel Kirby-Rider, chief executive at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “Being part of The i Paper Christmas appeal in 2025 was an important opportunity for Young Lives vs Cancer. “The £100,000 raised through the appeal has helped us continue to show up for the 12 children and young people diagnosed with cancer every day. We make sure that they and their families get the support they need to face the emotional and financial impact of cancer. “As well as fundraising, the appeal helped us share who we are and what we do, so young people and families who may need our support can reach us. It was also an opportunity for the experiences of those we support to be heard and those who had the opportunity to share their story had a wonderful experience doing so.” Shorts Young Lives vs Cancer provided an ‘absolute lifeline’ when Harrison was diagnosed with cancer (Photo: Young Lives vs Cancer) We have previously partnered with the charities Action for Children, Become, which supports children in care and young care leavers, EveryYouth (formerly End Youth Homelessness), MS Society, Coram Beanstalk and the Rainbow Trust. How to applyCoverage of this year’s appeal is expected to run for about four weeks over the festive period, both online and in print. Charities wishing to apply should send a brief campaign proposal, with details of how the appeal could make a difference to people’s lives, why donations are needed, and where exactly the money would be spent, with concrete suggestions for what could be bought with a wide range of donation amounts from £5 to £100. Applications from charities must show that they cover the whole of the UK, that organisations will be able to collect and track donations from readers both online and through the post, as well as provide weekly fundraising updates on the amounts received. Charities need to be able to work with The i Paper journalists to help generate strong editorial coverage with human stories that bring the charity’s work to life, including case studies and pictures. The application needs to give examples of potential case studies and any celebrity links or ambassadors. Please also include a short proposed title for the campaign. Applications should be sent to charity.appeal@theipaper.com by 7 October.