Local group is one of 194 small charities nationwide to benefit from major fundraising campaign
Topsham based community charity, The Estuary League of Friends, is one of just 194 small charities nationwide to have been selected to take part in the first-ever Small Charity Week match funding campaign.
Small Charity Week is a joint initiative by Big Give, Global’s Make Some Noise, and NCVO. The campaign offers selected charities the chance to double public donations, access unrestricted funding, and receive practical support to strengthen their work and resilience.
As a match funding campaign, every £1 donated to Estuary through the Big Give website during the campaign – 23-30 June 2025 – will be doubled!
Estuary aims to raise £10,000 during Small Charity Week to fund its vital work providing care, comfort and support to those in need in rural communities from St Loyes
in Exeter to Lympstone in East Devon. Funds raised will be used to help maintain the services which are most in demand including: social activities such as Seated Dance, Estuary Ladies and Craft Group; cost-of-living support including free holiday meals for children, benefit reviews, form filling, emergency food parcels; help with living independently at home; and assisted transport to and from vital health appointments.
Estuary receives no regular statutory income. The charity relies on donations, grants and fundraising campaigns to generate the funding needed to provide vital support.
Funds raised are used to subsidise its services making them accessible to all.The application process was highly competitive. In total, the Big Give received 846 applications from charities nationwide wanting to take part in the campaign – that’s more applications than any themed Big Give campaign since 2021.
Rachel Gilpin, Chief Executive of Estuary League of Friends, says: “We are over the moon to hear that Estuary has been chosen to take part in the Big Give’s inaugural Small Charity Week campaign and the communities we serve will benefit from national funding.
“Local people have been through a lot in recent years. COVID and social restrictions left many feeling more vulnerable and isolated than ever, and now rising costs of living are leaving more and more local people struggling to make ends meet. Children, young people, families, the disabled and the elderly are all affected.
“Our committed team of employees and volunteers are always ready to provide much needed support, advice or guidance.
“But, as a charity, we are facing steeply rising costs of our own just to keep going day- to-day.
“This incredible fundraising opportunity will help us raise much needed funds to continue making sure that every person in need in the communities we serve, gets a helping hand when they need it most.
"Visit Estuary’s website from 23 June to find out how to double your donation during Small Charity Week."
