‘Charity for charities’ sets up fundraiser to help grassroots organisations support their communities

As part of their Aviva Community Fund campaign, Battersea-founded online service Link UP London are sharing stories of how their support has helped charities benefit people across London.

The online fundraiser has started as the city comes out of lockdown, to help the struggling charity sector.

“Smaller organisations working harmoniously make a huge difference,” said Will Foreman, Community Project Manager at Link UP London.

Having expanded from Battersea into Wandsworth and Lambeth to eventually cover all of London, the charity connects skilled volunteers to small charities and community groups, helping them develop and achieve their goals.

Each week of the fundraising campaign, the charity are drawing attention to one particular area of the charitable organisations they have been working with.

The focus this week is on vulnerable young men.

Link UP London shared 19-year-old Jacob’s story, who after working with four charities supported by Link UP London, has landed his first job interview.

These charities include Future Skills Training and Creative Sparkworks in Wandsworth, Aspire to Inspire Dyslexia in Lambeth, and Suited & Booted, which helps low-income men across London prepare for job interviews.

Link UP London have achieved 50% of their £5,000 goal, with two weeks left.

They offer their services for free, and have not previously run a fundraiser on the scale of this year’s Aviva Community Fund campaign.

The money will enable Link UP London to take on more charitable projects.

“By donating, you’re effectively spreading that wealth across all the organisations we support,” said Mr Foreman.

Over the last five years Link UP London have helped over 100 organisations across the city, impacting more than 200,000 people in need.

Last week, Link UP focused on charities helping with child poverty, and shared the story of 13-year-old Thomas, whose family has been relying on food banks and staying in a hostel.

Thomas’ mental health struggles were getting him in trouble with police – until he was introduced to a local youth football charity which has helped him focus on the sport, and an education charity which provided him with a laptop for school.

Next week the focus is on disability, with Link UP London sharing the story of Julie, who has been caring for disabled father Charles after the loss of his wife.