Giving our Local Community a Helping Hand

This year it’s more important than ever to give back to our local communities and charities to help those in need and spread the Christmas cheer. Take a look below for what our fantastic local charities are doing this Christmas – we know that there may be more charities out there we’re unaware of, so please let us know of others we can add to this site. Everyone needs support this Christmas!

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Exeter Food Bank

“The Exeter Foodbank Exeter Foodbank was started in 2008 to help local people, many of whom had been affected by the financial crisis and subsequent downturn in the economy. The foodbank is a project founded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area. Since opening we have grown to provide three client sessions a week at the Foodbank Centre and have over a hundred volunteers involved in every aspect of running the Foodbank. Volunteers collect donations from Collection Points across the local area which are then sorted, weighed and stored. We maintain a warehouse where donations are stored before being delivered to the Centre for distribution”

Simply donate food, fundraise for the charity or donate money! It doesn’t end there, find out more ways you can help those in need here.

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Hospice Care

“Our supporters are the lifeblood of Hospiscare. Without you, we simply wouldn’t exist. So whether you’re planning to fundraise, shop with us, volunteer, leave a gift in your will or make a donation, thank you. You’re joining a family of thousands, who all believe that people with a life-limiting illness deserve the best care possible. Because every day matters!”

There are many ways in which you can support the work that Hospicecare do this Christmas. You can donate, fundraise, volunteer within your community and (safely) fundraise at work! It doesn’t stop there, click here to see how else you can help out this festive season. You can also take part in the Hospicecare Christmas Raffle, by creating your own raffle prizes to support patients and their families! Find out how you can start your own raffle here.

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Exeter City Community Trust

“Exeter City Community Trust are Exeter’s leading health and wellbeing charity working in partnership with Exeter City Football Club. We deliver inspiring physical activity, education, health and wellbeing programmes and courses primarily across Devon and Somerset for all members of the community regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, physical ability, background or economic status.”

Interested how you can provide your support? Support one of their many programmes, volunteer for events, choose the trust to be your Charity of the Year at work! Find out how to get involved here. Don’t forget – you can also take part in the Virtual Santa Run 2020 to raise money this Christmas.

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The Donkey Sanctuary

“The Donkey Sanctuary has grown from a charity rescuing UK donkeys from neglect and abuse to an international animal welfare organisation transforming the lives of millions of donkeys and mules, and the people who depend on them for their livelihood. Today, we have 10 sanctuaries around the UK and Europe, giving lifelong care to over 7,000 donkeys and mules, and we reach approximately 1.8 million donkeys and mules through our work in 35 countries worldwide.”

Your furry friends need your help! Support the fantastic work that the Donkey Sanctuary does by making a donation, adopt a donkey and buy a gift this Christmas from their online shop! Click here to find out how else you can support!

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Age UK Exeter

“We are an independent charity with our own locally elected board of trustees. We provide support and opportunities to over a thousand older people in and around Exeter each week through the skills and commitment of our fantastic staff and 320 volunteers. Our services range from social and activity groups and advice and benefit checks to help in the home, day services and supporting individuals and carers living with dementia. We have been serving the local community for over 30 years.”

There are many ways in which you can support Age UK’s work this festive season. A donation any size would be greatly appreciated, volunteering would put a smile on someone’s face and fundraising is a fantastic way to make a difference! Find out other ways you can support here.

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Force Cancer Charity

“At Force Cancer Charity we believe that anyone diagnosed with cancer deserves the best possible treatment and professional support, face to face and close to home. We have a Cancer Support and Information Centre in Exeter for patients and their loved ones who need physical, emotional, psychological and practical support. We offer support and information once a week in Okehampton, Tiverton and Honiton and pay for the specialist nurses who deliver chemotherapy in all three locations. We also fund local research and buy equipment to improve patient care.”

To provide your much-needed support this Christmas, donate an amount of your choice, safely fundraise and participate in upcoming virtual events!

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Exeter Samaritans

“We’re working together to make sure fewer people die by suicide. Every seven seconds, we respond to a call for help. No judgement, not pressure. We’re here for anyone who needs someone. Call 116 123 for free!”

To support the Exeter Samaritans, donate to help train their team, leave a gift in your will or volunteer to be there for someone who really needs it.

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Julian House - Homeless Outreach Exeter

“Julian House is a charity that supports vulnerable and at-risk individuals. These include men, women and young people experiencing homelessness, women and children escaping domestic abuse, adults with learning difficulties and people who need support after leaving prison.”

Donate to their Coronavirus Appeal, to help them support vulnerable people at this difficult time. You can also fundraise for the charity, or take part in events! There are some fantastic Christmas workshops taking place over the festive period, get involved here.

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Libraries Unlimited Mobile Library

“Libraries Unlimited launches a crowdfunder to get a mobile library on the road – bringing books and a lifeline to 80 rural communities in South Hams and West Devon. The current mobile library, affectionately known as Gertie, is going into retirement. This van has given 14 years’ service to rural communities, but sadly is becoming more and more difficult to keep on the road. It travels 806 miles every month, stopping at 80 different places across the South Hams, skirts around Plymouth, travels across Dartmoor into West Devon and goes North into parts of Teignbridge too.”

Find out more information and donate here!

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Devon Air Ambulance

“When every second counts, getting the specialist skills of our Critical Care Paramedics to scene is paramount. Devon's two emergency helicopters enable us to deliver expert critical care to patients wherever they may be. We also have two Critical Care Cars which operate when poor weather or essential maintenance prevents the aircraft from flying. These two emergency vehicles are adapted to contain all of the same life-saving equipment as you would find on board our air ambulance and enable advanced critical care to arrive quickly by road.”

There are many ways in which you can support the fantastic work that this charity does. Shop with free delivery on their online store, make a generous donation or request a donation box for your business! The Devon Air Ambulance has also set up their 12 Gifts of Christmas - showcasing a different way, each day, how you can help the charity and make a difference!

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Princesshay's Charity Christmas Tree Festival 

This December, Princesshay will again play host to its annual Charity Christmas Tree Festival. Real Christmas trees will line Roman Walk and be decorated by local charities to help raise awareness during the festive period.

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Princesshay's Giving Hub

Why not give differently this season with Princesshay's Giving Hub? Located on Roman Walk, the hub will be collecting specific donations to support people who are homeless this Christmas. The Giving Hub team will be collecting winter coats, sleeping bags, boots and some other specific items. For a full list of what's needed see here. As well as a ‘tap to give’ contactless donation point, where visitors can tap to donate £3 to Exeter Homelessness Partnership. 

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Home-Start Exeter

Home-Start Exeter, East & Mid Devon provides a service covering the region from Exeter City to Axminster, including Exmouth, Cranbrook and now extending to Crediton. Being a parent, whatever your situation, can be very challenging, especially when children are young. Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life. For some parents it’s a particular struggle because they are also coping with issues such as post-natal depression, their or their child’s illness or disability, isolation or multiple births. That’s when parents need support. That’s when Home-Start Exeter, East & Mid Devon can help! 

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Exeter Leukaemia Fund

Exeter Leukaemia Fund (Elf) is a registered charity providing vital support to patients with blood cancer and other disorders who attend the Haematology Centre at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E). We:

• Helped fund the building of the Haematology Centre
• Funded the building of a critical care unit at the RD&E's Yarty ward, the Chevithorne family suite
• Provide the Elf flat for Haematology outpatients and families visiting patients staying on Yarty ward
• Fund NHS nurses and support roles
• Provide a range of support services for patients and their families at the RD&E and in their own homes.

You can help ELF by donating, volunteer, fundraise or visit their charity shops and make a purchase or two!