Guardian and Observer charity appeal hits £1m

With more than a week still to go, the Guardian and Observer 2020 appeal has raised an amazing £1m for its three partner charities supporting disadvantaged young people living in communities hit by the Covid pandemic.

More than 9,500 readers have donated to the appeal since it launched in early December, including hundreds who called journalists to donate through the annual telethon shortly before Christmas. The funds raised will be shared among the charities UK Youth, YoungMinds and Child Poverty Action Group.

The proceeds of the 2020 appeal, which runs until midnight on 10 January, will be invested in grassroots youth work projects, initiatives to provide emotional support for young people and and improve young people’s mental health services, and innovative work to reduce child poverty in the UK.

Ndidi Okezie, the chief executive of UK Youth, welcomed the milestone: “It is just phenomenal that the appeal has now reached £1m. I am humbled, and grateful to everyone who is choosing to actively support young people at this time. This generosity enables UK Youth to support critical youth work, ensuring that young people not only survive but are equipped to thrive. Thank you!”

Tom Madders, the director of campaigns at YoungMinds, said: “Guardian and Observer readers’ generosity comes at such a difficult time for many and we know that the pandemic is deepening the crisis in children and young people’s mental health. This vital support will help us stop young people’s mental health from reaching crisis point and show them that they do not need to struggle alone.”

Alison Garnham, the chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said: “The strength of support for this appeal has really inspired us as we are coming to the end of a dreadful year when almost no aspect of children’s lives has been untouched by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is heartening to know they have not been forgotten by Guardian and Observer readers. Thank you all so much for your support.”

Introducing the appeal this month, the Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, wrote: “By putting young people at the heart of this year’s Guardian and Observer charity appeal, we signal our support for the generation we hope will flourish after Covid. Today’s young people must not become a lost generation.”