The Department for International Development has launched the largest round of UK aid-supported charity appeals with up to £30m of match-funding available.
More than 25 charities from across Britain have been selected to run UK Aid Match appeals, and implement high-quality projects in developing countries. For every £1 donated to a charity appeal, the government will also contribute £1 of aid to “help these projects go further in changing and saving lives”.
DfID said it has potentially up to £30m of funding available to be matched to appeals from September to the end of March next year. UK Aid Match is funded from the international development budget, with up to a total of £5m per appeal being available.
The first appeal to be launched in this round of UK Action Against Hunger’s campaign #HealthyMumsHealthyKids. Running from 2 September until 2 December, diners at more than 400 venues including Hawksmoor and Pho can make a voluntary donation when paying their bill, which will then be matched by the UK government.
The appeal will support mums-to-be and children in Senegal where one in five children are stunted and 30 per cent of all child deaths are due to malnutrition. Support for this programme will ensure adolescents, pregnant women and children get the right food they need to avoid a lifetime of damaging effects from poor nutrition.
DfID is also encouraging the public to donate their old £1 coins, which are going out of circulation in October, which can then be match-funded.
International Development Secretary Priti Patel said: “The overwhelming generosity of the UK public in times of crisis is one of the things that makes Britain truly great. By matching pound for pound donations to charities of all sizes from across the country, we can champion a wide range of causes close to people’s hearts.
“Old pound coins are due to got out of circulation in October so by getting rid of old change, the public can help to double the amount great causes receive, ensuring their support goes even further.
“Look out for the UK Aid Match logo – which features the Union flag – on charity appeals from now until Spring next year. It shows that the UK government will match your donations, providing a boost to some of the very best projects and make a real and lasting difference to those in need. And for millions in the world’s poorest countries, it’s a badge of hope that help is on its way from the British people.”
Other appeals due to launch in September include World Child Cancer, Concern Worldwide, Hope and Homes for Children, Mine Advisory Group (MAG), Hope for Children and Build Africa, which are based in regions across the UK including Belfast, Wiltshire and Manchester.
The first phase of UK Aid Match, launched between 2013 and 2016, funded 59 appeals. An estimated 3.6m people in the UK donated to match-funded appeals. A total of £120m went to 42 charities, operating in 22 countries and running projects including health, education and water, sanitation and hygiene which are expected to benefit 19 million people.
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