HOW DO WE GIVE BACK

CANCER RESEARCH UK

The world’s largest independent cancer research charity has one aim: to reduce the number of deaths from cancer through prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Its research has saved lives, and they recently funded research that could help predict and detect kidney cancer years before people begin to show symptoms. You can get involved by volunteering or taking part in one of their many fundraising events such as a Race for Life (5 or 10k) [link to Race for Life piece] and the annual Stand Up to Cancer. Cancer Research UK also contributed £160 million to help fund the pioneering Francis Crick Institute, which studies the biology behind the disease.

www.cancerresearchuk.org

DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL

This organisation is all about gorilla conservation. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund plays a direct role in the protection of gorillas in the wild in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. They also conduct scientific research, train future conservation and scientific leaders, and help communities living near gorillas through livelihood, food security and education initiatives. A simple way to donate is to sign up for its Adopt a Gorilla (in the wild) program.

www.gorillafund.org

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

One of the most important initiatives of Doctors Without Borders right now is to keep essential medical programs running during the coronavirus pandemic, including HIV and tuberculosis programs and responding to other outbreaks like measles, cholera, and Ebola. Doctors Without Borders focuses on communities in countries with fragile health systems. Its medical teams are also supporting COVID-19 response efforts around the world. In 2019, the organisation treated more than 2.6 million cases of malaria and vaccinated more than 1.3 million people against measles during an outbreak.

www.doctorswithoutborders.org

AMAZON CONSERVATION TEAM

The Amazon provides oxygen for the planet, houses millions of different species, regulates massive planetary systems, and buffers countries against the ravages of climate change. Its destruction would accelerate the decline of wildlife around the world and could unravel the efforts that have been made in the global fight against extreme poverty. All of the United Nations Global Goals, for that matter, would be endangered by its loss. The destruction of the Amazon is not inevitable and we must help to protect its unrivalled ecological splendour. The Amazon Conservation Team works hand-in-hand with Indigenous leaders to ensure the long-term welfare of the Amazon forest.

www.amazonteam.org

PLASTIC POLLUTION COALITION

Plastic Pollution Coalition is a global alliance of more than 1,200 organisations, businesses, and thought leaders in 75 countries working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impact on humans, animals, waterways, oceans, and the environment. As a company, we will increase our contribution to improve our impact on the environment and support efforts towards a world free of plastic pollution.

www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org

ACTION AGAINST HUNGER

Action Against Hunger aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes. For more than 40 years the organisation has been working to treat and ward off hunger in more than 45 countries. Its programs promote food production, prevent COVID-19 and waterborne diseases, and provide aid after disasters; in 2019, the organisation served more than 17 million people.

www.actionagainsthunger.org

WILDAID

WildAid’s mission is simple: to reduce the consumption of wildlife products and to increase local support for conservation efforts. To do this, it works to persuade the public to avoid illegal and unsustainable wildlife products and to make better lifestyle choices in order to reduce climate change. Its work helps all types of creatures, from sea turtles and manta rays to tigers and elephants. WildAid has a perfect score on Charity Navigator and counts Prince William and Lupita Nyong'o among its ambassadors.

www.wildaid.org

REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL

With nearly 80 million refugees around the world, this nonprofit steps in to advocate for lifesaving assistance and protection for people forcibly displaced from their homes. Every year, Refugees International conducts about 20 field missions around the world to speak directly with displaced people and identify their needs. The organisation prides itself on being independent, as it does not accept money from the United Nations or the U.S. government.

www.refugeesinternational.org

WATER MISSION

According to the World Health Organisation, around 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water. The organisation Water Mission is working to change that by building clean water engineering solutions for people around the globe. In 2020, Water Mission made it possible for 617,000 people to receive safe drinking water from community systems, according to Charity Navigator, where it received an impressive four-star rating for 14 consecutive years.

www.watermission.org

SIGHT SAVERS

Every day, around the world, children go blind from illnesses that are entirely preventable. Sightsavers is an international organisation that works with partners in more than 30 countries to try and stop this from happening. Across the world, Sightsavers say 12 million people are blind because of cataracts when an operation that costs just £30 could save their sight.

www.sightsavers.org