• The year-long giveaway, to causes close to readers’ hearts, has reached its halfway mark
• Over 8,000 charities have been nominated, and nearly 50 grants have been given out, up to £20,000
• From Harlow to Halifax to Havering, The Sun has donated to charities in need all over the UK

The Sun’s Reader Fund has so far given away over £500,000 to grassroots charities nominated by its readers.

The Sun launched the £1m fund in November, to provide vital support to the good causes closest to readers’ hearts as it turned 50. And that support has never been needed more given the impact of the national coronavirus crisis.

Over 8,000 charities have been nominated, and nearly 50 grants have been given out, with a value of up to £20,000. 

More will follow over the coming months, as the team scours nominations to find the most deserving causes to give some extra cash to in these difficult times, as part of the year-long giveaway.

Victoria Newton, Editor-in-Chief of The Sun said: “The Sun is the People’s Paper. We reach over 39 million people a month and we take pride in shining a spotlight on the causes they’re passionate about in their own local communities.

“Which is why we celebrated our 50th birthday last November by creating a £1million Reader Fund to provide much-needed support for an array of local charities and groups doing extraordinary things across the country, nominated by our readers. 

“Already, our fund has done more good than we could possibly have imagined. Small charities up and down the UK have been struggling to fundraise during lockdown, so our grants have been a lifeline for them - and the people who rely on them. 

“Of course, we can never repay the generosity of our readers, who’ve helped us raise an incredible £100million for important causes over the last five decades. The Sun’s £1million Reader Fund is our way of saying thank you.”

From Harlow to Halifax to Havering, The Sun has donated to charities in need all over the UK. 

It has funded talking therapies, bereavement support services, emergency supplies for vulnerable children and families, advice, guidance and support for unpaid carers, hot meals, TVs, TV licences and computer tablets for the isolated elderly.

Here’s some examples of how the money has helped: 

Tyneside charity Clothe and Feed, which offers supplies to vulnerable children and families has set up a delivery service, as restrictions mean they can’t visit their hubs. The £5,000 grant will help to fund van hire and essential goods for delivery. Volunteer, Rob Turnbull said: “We work with the churches, community groups, social services, the police and soup kitchens to reach vulnerable families and while our hub is closed we are helping them by supplying food packages through a network of small community groups.

“We know that what we are doing works and the money from the Sun Readers Fund will make a huge difference so we are very grateful.”

In South East London, Sun reader and chef Francis Carino, nominated the mental health charity Quo Vadis for a grant. The charity helps up to 200 people trying to rebuild their lives following personal crises. He said: “Quo Vadis Trust is close to my heart because without them I’d be on the streets. I still find it difficult to cope sometimes but I am settled and I know this is the safest place for me now. I volunteer for the charity. I built a large garden where I grow fruit and vegetables all year round.” 

The £2,000 grant will fund a build a large greenhouse to increase the amount and range of produce the clients can grow and to lengthen the growing season.

Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes transfers urgent medical supplies, samples and equipment between hospitals throughout more than 10,000 square miles of remote northern Scotland. 

It was started in March last year with two second–hand motor-cycles from a neighbouring blood bikes charity. With people furloughed from work, it has seen a surge in volunteers, with 100 people on hand to help out.

The £10,000 grant from The Sun Readers Fund has enabled the charity to pay for their first two specialist Yamaha motor-cycles, and for them to have the appropriate livery.

Spokesman George Sharp said:“What we do takes a weight off the NHS and if that is even more important now, during the coronavirus crisis, then we are happy to help.

 “We can’t thank The Sun enough. It’s absolutely amazing.”

Age UK has seen its income-generating retail shops and paid-for services shut down just when their help is needed more than ever.

Its Northamptonshire branch has had to completely reorganise its services because of social distancing.  Chris Duff, chief executive of Age UK’s Northamptonshire branch, which even before the pandemic had more than 15,000 clients across the county, explained: “We have got a lot of expenditure and no money coming in, so we are delighted with the money from The Sun and how quickly it has been made available in response to the crisis.

“It is a lifeline at the moment.”

Their supply of hot meals has expanded quickly, and services include food shopping, making sure people have their medications, and a telephone befriending service. Money from The Sun Readers’ Fund will pay the equivalent of an extra 100 hours per week of services from the branch’s staff for 12 weeks.