The Canal & River Trust has launched the Waterway Charities Appeal

This is an appeal to help support the many small waterway-based charities in our local communities to ensure their survival during these unprecedented times. Without immediate help, the coronavirus pandemic could prove disastrous for these small charities.

The future of these charities - who provide vital opportunities for local people, often disadvantaged, with disabilities or simply unable to otherwise enjoy the waterways - is threatened. Many of them have seen their fundraising income drastically reduced, putting the benefit they provide to so many communities at risk.

These very local charities provide people with opportunities in life where, and when, it is needed the most - from helping tackle loneliness and dementia, to supporting disadvantaged children and young people in some of the most deprived parts of the country.

What they all have in common is that they carry out their invaluable work on our wonderful waterways bringing beauty and wellbeing to the heart of diverse communities.

In solidarity with them, the Canal & River Trust are matching public donations to our appeal up to £50,000. On top of that, our chief executive, Richard Parry, has announced that he will also donate 20% of his salary for the first three months of the year.

All the funds raised by this appeal will be distributed by the Canal & River Trust in small grants to local waterway-based community charities, to ensure they can continue to operate in the months and years ahead.

Please give what you can, every act of generosity counts.