Generous readers donated more than £34,000 during the Guardian and Observer’s socially distanced annual charity telethon on Saturday. The 2020 winter appeal, which is raising money for charities supporting disadvantaged young people, now stands at more than £585,000.
A roster of journalists staffed the telethon phone lines from their homes – among those taking calls from readers were the editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, John Crace, Marina Hyde, Anushka Asthana, Jonathan Freedland, Amelia Gentleman, Owen Jones and Polly Toynbee.
To comply with industry regulations, the calls were subsequently transferred to a small team of Guardian staff volunteers, who took card donations at the Guardian offices in Kings Place, London, under the auspices of the Charities Trust.
The annual Guardian and Observer charity appeal, which runs throughout the festive period, is supporting three charities which are helping to tackle the stark impact of the pandemic crisis on young people in disadvantaged communities: UK Youth, Young Minds and Child Poverty Action Group.
The money raised will be invested in grassroots youth work projects, initiatives to support emotional wellbeing and improve young people’s mental health services, and innovative work to reduce child poverty in the UK.
Emma Thomas, chief executive at Young Minds, said: “We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s generous support and donations through this appeal. Young people’s mental health is in crisis and the money raised will help us in our mission to stop young people’s mental health reaching crisis point, at a time when it’s needed most.”
Ndidi Okezie, chief executive of UK Youth, said: ‘Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Guardian and Observer readers, we will be able to provide vital support to young people across the UK, at a time when they have never needed our help more. By supporting the appeal, readers are sending a clear signal that they believe in young people.”
Alison Garnham, chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said: “It’s heartening to see so much support from Guardian and Observer readers. What’s clear is that there is strong public backing for taking action against child poverty. I hope those who have very kindly donated to support our work will also add their voices to our calls for change. It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Introducing the appeal earlier this month, Viner wrote: “By putting young people at the heart of this year’s Guardian and Observer charity appeal, we signal our support for the generation we hope will flourish after Covid. Today’s young people must not become a lost generation.”
• The appeal continues until midnight on Sunday 10 January.
