Double your donation this Christmas
The amazing Annie Mac - DJ, broadcaster, and author - is doubling your donations this Christmas in support of the i Newspaper Appeal for Become and children in care.
We’re proud to have Annie Mac as our Christmas Appeal Ambassador.
Annie Mac is teaming up with the i Newspaper’s Christmas Appeal to raise vital donations to support some of the most vulnerable children and young people in society.
There are more children in care than ever before – over 107,000 in the UK. Every year, 11,000 young people face the harsh reality of leaving care at 18 or younger to live independently. This is what we call the #CareCliff.
“I usually dread Christmas and I think it exacerbates the grief of missing something I never really had.”
Many of the young people we work with face Christmas alone, in temporary accommodation, or struggling to make ends meet. They often lack the support, stability, and resources that most of us take for granted. They also need emotional support and opportunities to thrive. You can make a difference today by donating to this appeal.
Every pound donated to Annie Mac’s personal fundraiser up to £15,000 will be matched so your generosity will go even further. All donations contribute to the grand total raised by the i Newspaper Christmas Appeal.
Your support is needed more than ever before:
107,317
record numbers of children in care in the UK.
82%
of care-experienced young people struggled to afford food last year.
1 in 4
people experiencing homelessness are care-experienced.
Maria's story
“I usually dread Christmas and I think it exacerbates the grief of missing something I never really had. I think there is a lot of pressure around Christmas, and it can be worse for care leavers who don’t have family to spend it with.
My first Christmas in care wasn’t the best. I just spent it alone with a microwave meal, but I remember going for a walk and seeing families out together. No one usually says “good morning”, or even smiles, but on Christmas day, everyone said hello. It made me feel a bit more thankful to know that, while I was struggling, this time of year makes people kinder and it gave me hope that one day, I might experience Christmas that way.
I think my favourite Christmas memory was last year, when I attended the Christmas link up with Become.
I loved it because although it wasn’t on Christmas day, and we aren’t necessarily ‘family’, we all understood each other. It’s rare to have so many people, who have been through a lot, being happy together at the same time.
This year I moved into my own flat, so it feels like a weight has been lifted because whatever happens, at least I know where I’m going to be on Christmas day. I want to make it feel as ‘happy’ as I can. Since it’s my first one in my new home, I’m going to decorate, put up a Christmas tree and make my own ‘traditions’, to change the way Christmas has felt in the past.”
– Care-experienced young person. Maria’s name and image have been changed to protect their identity.
Other ways to donate
You can pay in your donation directly into our bank using these details:
Account Name: Become Charity,
Bankers: Unity Trust Bank,
Sort Code: 60-83-01
Account Number: 54000645
