Guardian readers raise £750,000 for charities uniting divided communities | Society
The Guardian’s Hope appeal has raised over £750,000 so far; Generous readers have dug deep to support inspiring grassroots charities that bring divided communities together, promote tolerance and fight racism and hate.
The 2025 Guardian appeal raises funds for five charities: Citizens UK, the Linking Network, Locality, Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust and Who’s Your Neighbour?
The Hope appeal, launched in December, aims to deliver a positive burst of hope and optimism against the troubling backdrop of extremist violence and harassment, anti-immigrant rhetoric and the reemergence of “1970s-style racism”.
The latest in our editorial series featuring our partner charities highlights the surprising response from community and faith groups in Liverpool following the Southport riots in 2024, where “solidarity blossomed” and thousands gathered to confront the threat of a racist attack on a local refugee support centre.
“There was a sense of relief, solidarity and hope. We had witnessed a huge rise in hate, but [then] we have witnessed a huge outcry of love,” Dr Badr Abdullah, president of the Liverpool Muslim Association, whose appeal partner Citizens UK is a member, told the Guardian’s northern editor Josh Halliday.
All five charities deliver practical projects designed to encourage empathy, build trust and drive positive change on issues that matter to local communities, from affordable housing to youth clubs, arts projects to food banks.
Other highlights of the series include Ireland correspondent Rory Carroll’s visit to the Circle of Change project run by Locality affiliate 174 Trust in Belfast. It holds monthly social gatherings to unite people across race, class and creed. “It restored my hope. It humanized us all,” attendee Maureen Hamblin told Rory.
Taj Ali’s Guardian film featured the work of Locality affiliate Back on the Map, a community organization revitalizing a Sunderland neighborhood following the far-right riots of 2024, while Helen Pidd featured the pioneering work of Who’s Your Neighbor? organizing “difficult conversations” on issues such as race and immigration.
Lucy Knight has made a moving statement about SaSh, a Jewish-Muslim charity food kitchen project supported by Hope Unlimited, overcoming hatred and hunger with joy and irrepressible determination.
The appeal attracted the attention of many donors. “I’m so glad the Guardian supports organizations that bring people together and promote what is human and common among us,” one reader emailed.
Locality CEO Tony Armstrong said: “We’d like to thank Guardian readers for their kind donations. When people come together to listen and support each other, that’s when they create opportunities and create hope for the future.”
