Report helps charities keep their finger on the pulse

[THE LATEST QUARTERLY research report from digital fundraising platform Enthuse examines trends in donating among the UK public following the COVID pandemic. The Donor Pulse Report: Spring 2021 looked at how people donate and their attitude to fundraising events as the lockdown eases.

An encouraging result of the research is the finding that donating among the public is stabilising, following a fall during the first lockdown. There has even been a rise in the numbers donating to charities dealing with poverty – from 21% to 27% of donors. Younger people are more likely to donate, with 18 to 24-year-olds most likely.

That change in giving patterns is mirrored by an improvement in the perception of charities, with 35% of people having a more positive view.

On the issue of participation in fundraising events, the research found a distinct divergence among age groups, with the under-40s far more likely to participate in both physical and virtual fundraising events. The type of event is also important, with 40% of all supporters preferring a ‘fun-type’ event.

Another major shift, and again one that is no surprise, is the move away from cash to online giving – a change that has been steady over the past year. Only 17% of people made a cash donation in February, while 40% have not donated cash since before the pandemic. Over half of people preferred online as their method of donating. The report’s authors predict that the move away from cash, evident from before the pandemic, is likely to be permanent. A more surprising finding was an increasing preference for donating to charities’ own websites, rather than via consumer giving platforms. That increase has been matched by an increased likelihood of the donor being able to recall the charity’s name after donating. The report concludes: “There is a lot to think about with the return of events, and a balance to achieve for charities communicating ‘having fun’ and ’staying safe’, to appeal to ‘play safe’ and ‘fun seeking’ supporters. The longer-term shift to digital giving continues with the public moving away from cash to digital in all formats, and donating more directly to causes. This continues to be a challenging time for charities, but there are the beginnings of solidity which should help, particularly when combined with the loosening of lockdown restrictions. Charities need to continue to be agile and put digital at the heart of their fundraising planning.” • Donor Pulse Report – Spring 2021 is the third in a series of quarterly research papers looking at the public’s changing attitudes to charities and giving published by Enthuse – the fundraising, donations and events registration platform. It can be downloaded for free from enthuse.com/insights/. q

This sanctuary helps donkeys from Britain, Europe and beyond

[ESTABLISHED IN 1990, NEDDI offers care and safety to donkeys – and to a lesser degree, ponies – in Britain and Europe who have suffered neglect, cruelty or maltreatment or who are at risk of such treatment.

In addition to rescuing such animals from undesirable situations, within the financial and practical constraints prevailing at the time, they work to try to change attitudes and to educate donkey owners into better practices. For example, since 2016 they have been assisting associates in Kenya to achieve those aims for the working animals there.

Since its establishment in Cornwall, NEDDI has operated a sanctuary specifically for distressed donkeys. In 2001 the sanctuary moved to just the other side of the channel, where the resident donkeys enjoy more space and pasture than would otherwise have been possible.

Its policy is to try to offer actual, hands-on help to the animals in need, and to restore them to the maximum possible degree of fitness. Once brought back to full health, new homes are sometimes sought for the fit animals.

Where full health cannot be achieved a safe home is offered to the donkey for the duration of its life.

NEDDI is a comparatively small organisation with limited resources, and relies heavily on support from animal-lovers. A bequest will enable more donkeys to be freed from pain and misery. q

Giving hope to the one in six

[ONE IN SIX PEOPLE in the UK has a neurological disorder: that amounts to 14.7 million mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends and colleagues – more than those affected by coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined. It might be there from birth, be due to a slowly developing illness or the result of a brain injury.

The charity dedicated to raising funds to advance treatments and research at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and the Institute of Neurology – together known as Queen Square – is The National Brain Appeal.

The driving force behind the charity’s work is the aim to improve the outcome and quality of life for everyone affected by a neurological condition. They include brain tumours, stroke, epilepsy, dementias, MS, motor neurone disease and Parkinson’s disease: all of which have no cure as yet. They look to achieve that vision by funding state-of-the-art equipment, major building programmes and life-saving research – over and above what the NHS can provide.

Legacies represent up to one quarter of The National Brain Appeal’s annual income. “They are crucial to the fundraising work we do,” said chief executive Theresa Dauncey. “We’re extremely grateful for every legacy left to us. Leaving just 1% of your estate can make a very real difference and is an investment in the future. The more money we receive, the more support we can give to the National Hospital, The National Brain Appeal’s chief which in turn improves the executive Theresa Dauncey prospects for those affected by neurological disorders.”

Penelope was diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) in 2004 at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and attends a day care clinic run by a team of specialist nurses. “My own personal journey with MMN makes me want to give back in whatever way I can,” she said. “That is why I have left a gift in my will to The National Brain Appeal. I want to help to fund crucial research into all neurological conditions going forward.” Meta is a former National Hospital patient. She had successful surgery for a benign brain tumour there in 1988. Since then both her husband Penelope attends a day care clinic and sister were diagnosed with run by a team of specialist nurses neurological conditions.

She explained: “My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and sadly passed away just a few months ago. My sister has multiple sclerosis – she’s been living with it for more than 25 years now. These are cruel diseases for which there is no cure and little hope.”

With that in mind Meta has made The National Brain Appeal a major beneficiary in her will.

“The lack of a cure for so many debilitating neurological conditions is a strong motivator for me to want to help,” she Meta has made The National Brain continued, “and by leaving Appeal a major beneficiary in her will a legacy I can be part of something that will provide hope for others.”

You choose

Now more than ever, benefactors to The National Brain Appeal can control where they would like their money to go. There are six specific funding areas for which individuals can make a legacy pledge: • Neurology: funding initiatives to improve diagnosis and treatment, and • provide facilities for those with on-going neurological conditions • Neurodegeneration: supporting projects which help people with • conditions where there is progressive degeneration • Neurosurgery: providing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for the • UK’s largest neurosurgery unit • Technology and innovation: supporting projects which translate • groundbreaking ideas into better results for patients • Education and staff development: investment to provide the best • opportunities and attract the best people in the field • Queen Square: new facilities and staff-led projects at the National • Hospital and the Institute of Neurology

For those who do not specify a funding area, their gift can be put towards an area with the most urgent need. Without the generosity and foresight of those who leave a legacy, the charity simply could not support the number of vital projects that it is currently able to. q • For more information about legacies and the National Brain Appeal, contact info@nationalbrainappeal.org or view the legacy section of the website at nationalbrainappeal.org.

Trust works to save iconic working horses

[THE SUFFOLK PUNCH TRUST is a registered charity, whose aim is to ensure the survival of the famous horse breed. It was founded in 2002 to save the historic Hollesley Bay Colony Stud.

That stud brought a rich legacy of equine and agricultural history which deserves to be saved for future generations to enjoy. The trust aims to achieve that through a successful breeding programme, supported by funding, education and the outreach facility of its visitor centre.

The Suffolk Punch is the oldest English breed of working horse, dating from the 16th century. Every Suffolk horse can be traced back to a stallion, known as Crisp’s Horse of Ufford, foaled in 1768. The Suffolk horse was developed for farm work and gained popularity during the early 20th century. As agriculture became mechanised, however, the numbers fell and the breed almost disappeared completely.

The aim of the trust is to help save the iconic breed from extinction through its established breeding programme. It is working towards increasing the numbers of horses through normal breeding processes and an artificial insemination programme.

It also works to raise public awareness and is training a new generation of professionals to work with and understand the needs of the breed. The Suffolk Punch is incredibly versatile and is now often employed in forestry and ridden work.

The Suffolk Punch Trust can only continue its work with the help of donations and legacies. As David Clarke, one of the trust’s directors, explained: “Your legacy, large or small, will make a huge difference to the work we carry out, enabling us to care for our horses and continue the breeding programme to secure this wonderful breed.” q

Securing a future for endangered wildlife

[AS A CONSERVATION CHARITY, the role of Marwell Wildlife is to give a helping hand to the many species with populations that have become so small that they would otherwise face an uncertain future.

You can see some of the world’s rarest species of all shapes and sizes at their zoo. From Partula snails and scimitar-horned oryx, to Somali wild ass and Amur leopards – all are part of international efforts to prevent extinction.

The charity relies heavily on legacies to support their work. Leaving a gift in your will to Marwell Wildlife is one of the best ways in which you can help them secure a better future for endangered wildlife and habitats for generations to come. q • Visit www.marwell.org.uk/legacy or call 01962 777988.