Want to know more about the BBC Radio 4 Christmas Appeal with St Martin-in-the-Fields? Here, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the Appeal, your donations, and how we help people experiencing homelessness in the UK.
- What is the purpose of the BBC Radio 4 Christmas Appeal with St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity?
- The BBC Radio 4 Christmas Appeal with St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity raises vital funds to support people across the UK who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. Through the Appeal, donations help provide emergency grants for those in need via the VRF and our Frontline Funds that support specialised homelessness charities across the UK.
St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity has partnered with BBC Radio 4 for 98 years, making it one of the longest-running charity appeals. Each year, the Appeal highlights real stories of people impacted by homelessness, showing how donations make a real difference.
By donating, you bring us closer to our goal that everyone can have a safe place to call home.
- How can I donate to the Christmas Appeal
- You can donate in the following ways:
- By Phone: Call 0800 082 82 84 (free from landlines and mobiles).
- By Post: Send a cheque payable to St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Appeal to:
FREEPOST ST MARTINS CHRISTMAS APPEAL.
Include our Gift Aid declaration form if applicable. - Online: Donate via credit or debit card here or through the JustGiving page.
- Direct Debit: Set up a regular donation with our Direct Debit form.
- Bank Transfer/Overseas: Email [email protected].
Thank you for supporting the Christmas Appeal!
- Where does the money raised go?
- St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity exists so that everyone has a place to call home. With the help of our supporters, we support frontline workers and organisations across the UK. Together, we ensure that everyone experiencing homelessness can secure, and keep, a safe place to live.
We help people in vulnerable situations to find and keep a home. Wherever it’s needed, we seek to provide emergency financial help that allows someone to secure or keep safe accommodation. These small grants alleviate worry and stress and can transform a person’s circumstances within a matter of days.
We help people to recover from homelessness. By providing funding to organisations across the UK, we connect people with experts who understand the complexity of their situation and who listen and then help. Step by step, this provides the long-term, tailored support that allows people to regain their health, home and their independence.
We work to ensure that the best quality support is always on offer. Our Frontline Network works with our partner organisations and networks across the UK, to ensure that people experiencing homelessness are aided in the most effective ways possible – linking professionals on a national level and funding important, related services in areas such as mental health care, legal advice and the support of marginalised young people.
Through our generous supporters, we have developed programmes that enable us to support frontline service delivery in all four nations of the UK.
- How can I get help for myself/someone I know facing homelessness or housing issues?
- If you or someone you know is facing homelessness or housing difficulties, here’s how to seek help:
Contact your local council:
Reach out to your local council as soon as possible. They have a legal duty to provide support to those at risk of homelessness and can offer advice, temporary accommodation, or assistance to prevent eviction.
Speak to a local advice service:
Charities and organisations like Shelter, Citizens Advice, or Crisis provide free advice and support for those experiencing housing issues.
The Connection at St Martin’s:
If you are in London, The Connection at St Martin’s offers specialist services, including advice, emergency support and access to longer-term help. Visit their website here for more information.
Helplines and immediate support:
Shelter’s Helpline: 0808 800 4444 (free, open 365 days a year).
StreetLink: If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, contact StreetLink via their app or website to connect them to local support services.
Remember, there is help available. If you’re unsure where to start, reaching out to a trusted charity or your local council is a good first step.
- Can I send you physical donations such as hats, furniture or clothing?
- Thank you for your very kind offer. We unfortunately do not accept donations in kind, as we do not work directly with people who need them. It may be worth checking the website of your local foodbank or homelessness organisation to see which items they are in need of.
- Can I volunteer for the Christmas Appeal?
- Thank you so much for your interest, but we unfortunately are not looking for any volunteers at the moment.
You can see any current vacancies here.
- How can I spread the word about the Appeal?
- You can post about the Appeal on social media, by sharing our official posts, creating your own, or linking to the donation page. Make sure to tag St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity to maximise visibility.
Alternatively, you can tell your family or friends in person or via email, sharing the Appeal page with them. Thank you for spreading the word!
- How can I set up a regular donation?
- To set up a regular gift with us, please visit our donation page here, and select ‘Monthly’ followed by the donation amount you would like to give each month. Thank you so much for your donation.
- How do I update or cancel my regular donation?
- If you would like to cancel or change your direct debit, please get in touch with us via email at [email protected] or phone 020 3795 5745.
- I’d like to include St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity in my Will – how can I do this?
- Leaving a gift in your Will to St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity helps ensure we can provide the best possible support for years to come.
We’ve partnered with Octopus Legacy so you can write your Will for free, in as little as 20 minutes (online, in-person, or over the phone). There’s no obligation to leave a gift, but any contribution, big or small, will make a lasting impact.
To get started, call the free Wills hotline on 0800 773 4014 (Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm, Saturday: 9am – 12pm), or contact us at [email protected].
For more information, visit our Legacy page here.
- Are any of the celebrity ambassadors paid for working with St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity?
- As a charity, we do not pay celebrities for their support. We are incredibly grateful to all the celebrities who generously give their time to support our work for free.
- What is Gift Aid and how does it mean more money for the Appeal?
- Gift Aid is a UK government scheme that allows charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated at no extra cost to you. If you are a UK taxpayer, you can boost your donation simply by clicking the Claim Gift Aid button when prompted during the online donation process.
If you’re donating by post, you can download and complete a Gift Aid declaration form to send with your donation. Thank you for helping your gift go even further!
More details are available on the HMRC website.
- How do you use my information?
- You can read our Privacy Policy here.
- How much of the Appeal donations go towards your charitable activities?
- At St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity, 77% of every donation goes directly to our charitable programmes, including individual VRF grants, our partner charities and frontline worker support.
- What is the link between the Appeal and the church?
- St Martin-in-the-Fields Church has a long history of supporting those in need, such as providing shelter for troops on their way to the front during the First World War. It was around this time that the then Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Dick Sheppard, set up the Christmas Appeal to help those who had endured hardship because of the war.
The Appeal builds on this legacy by raising vital funds to provide support to those facing homelessness across the UK. Today, the Appeal is run by St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity, which operates independently as a secular registered charity.