Some of The Best Charity Events in the UK by City

Hosting local charity events is an opportunity to raise awareness, generate funds, and help your community connect. But competition with other local fundraising events is high, so your event needs to stand out. A great way to find inspiration is by looking at what others are doing – so we’ve compiled a list of some of the best charity events in the UK right now. Read on to get those creative juices flowing.

Best local charity events in the UK

Across the country, organisers are doing their bit to support charities. There’s plenty to inspire you, whether it’s a festival, sporting event, or a spot of culture. To get you started, here’s a selection of some of the best events in UK cities in alphabetical order, with tips on how they can positively influence your event planning.

Belfast local charity event ideas

Belfast is a vibrant city at the forefront of Northern Ireland’s action plan to address climate change. So it’s no surprise the Climate Craic Festival 2022 took place there. It’s a celebration of positive action; musicians, comedians, performers, and artists come together, all while raising awareness of environmental issues.

When brainstorming local charity ideas, consider causes your community supports. Climate Craic unites people with a common interest in saving the planet. Food vendors serve plant-based products, and community groups run stalls and host activities. What’s available at your event – like refreshments and products – should align with the principles of the charity you’re supporting. If the event is free to attend, it’ll be more accessible too.

Birmingham local charity event ideas

With its multicultural population, the UK’s second-largest city knows a thing or two about hosting food and drink-based events. Maximising this potential, Farplace Vegan Festival invites local suppliers and businesses to run stalls at its Birmingham event, raising funds for Farplace Animal Rescue.

The hosts know attendees love animals, so selling vegan food and drinks is essential. They also offer cosmetics, clothing, and gifts that are vegan-friendly. Guest speakers, free tasters, and cookery demonstrations add to the experience. At Birmingham Vegan Festival, they’re raising more money with VIP tickets that offer early entry and goodie bags. Like these organisers, make it clear in your promotional material how much of the money raised goes to supporting your given charities.

Brighton local charity event ideas

What better setting for a charity event than the seaside? Big Brighton Sea Swim makes the most of its fabulous location with an open-water challenge along the shoreline. Organised by the Friends of Brighton & Hove Hospitals and open to adults and juniors, it raises money by charging an entrance fee and setting fundraising targets.

When organising a sporting or fitness event, health and safety are paramount. The Big Brighton Sea Swim creators ensure all participants agree to strict terms and conditions, and participants with little experience are required to join an open-water training programme before the swim. A free induction event is also open to all swimmers.

Bristol local charity event ideas

Bristol is a city that wants to empower young people living in the South West of England. The Prince’s Trust Bristol Brilliant Breakfast 2022 aims to do just that. Rather than raising money, the main aim of this half-day event is to invite participants to learn about what the Bristol centre does, explore ways to work together, and hear inspiring stories from young people.

When running such an awareness event, remember that it showcases what your local charity does. Involving people who benefit from the charity adds weight to your event. One goal of this event type is networking. By offering refreshments and shopping opportunities at a range of businesses supported by the Prince’s Trust, the creators encourage attendees at Bristol Brilliant Breakfast to meet and mingle.

Cambridge local charity event ideas

Cambridge is perhaps best known for its university, but it’s also a city with a big heart. The Hope into Action Befriender Social is a celebration event organised by the registered charity Hope into Action. This charity’s unique purpose is to enable churches to provide housing, support, and friendship for homeless people in Cambridgeshire. Volunteers are their backbone, and the event is a way to give thanks.

Organising an event to celebrate a charity’s volunteer network is a way to show gratitude for all their hard work. It lets volunteers meet and connect with others working across the local area. If you’re hosting a faith-based event, offer food and activities that respect the beliefs of your attendees and choose an appropriate venue.

Providing a meal makes people feel valued and encourages networking, and inviting people interested in volunteering lets them learn how they can help.

Cardiff local charity event ideas

If you want to raise money for people with a particular condition, involve them at your event. That’s the approach taken at Autistic Minds LIVE Cardiff. Headlining this free live show is the comedian and music teacher Robert White. Robert has Asperger’s syndrome and dyslexia and is a regular headliner at comedy clubs in London and around the UK.

Held at Cardiff’s impressive City Stadium, it’s a full day for visitors to talk to exhibitors who support the autism community, listen to seminars relevant to autism, attend workshops, and chat with one another. There’s also an opportunity for one-to-one meetings with organisations providing specialist support for specific needs.

Edinburgh local charity event ideas

When a city is as beautiful as Edinburgh, organising a charity half marathon makes perfect sense. Charity running events can raise serious money and be a great day out for the whole family. Course-wide entertainment, plenty of cheering spots, and a memorable finish all help. A running event must be well planned – be clear about rules and regulations to avoid pitfalls later. A team of volunteers and marshals will help keep runners refreshed, motivated, and safe.

Organised to raise money for research into type 1 diabetes, the Scottish Half Marathon 2022 has all these ingredients. With a carefully planned route that’s flat and fast, it attracts a broad range of runners. Scheduled to start in the late morning, it takes participants along a scenic course that finishes at Scotland’s oldest racecourse. Registration is £25, and the minimum sponsorship is £200.

Exeter local charity event ideas

Who doesn’t love an excuse to eat cake? Venaspace Exeter’s Coffee Morning & Mini Bake Off is raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Costs are minimal, with guests bringing homemade baked goods for a morning of coffee, networking, fundraising, and tasty treats. Hosted at The Rabbit Hole, an award-winning coworking space, the venue provides a relaxed and informal atmosphere to meet, chat, and do a spot of fundraising.

Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Mornings, like this one in Exeter, are organised across the country with Eventbrite’s help. It’s a tried-and-tested model often adapted to support other charities. Hosts have a choice of two free coffee morning kits – the classic with bunting, balloons, and a tablecloth, or an environmentally-friendly version with less paper and no plastic. You can choose how you want your coffee morning: big or small, with or without alternative food and drink, formal or informal.

Glasgow local charity event ideas

Glasgow has an excellent reputation for outreach work. One example is the efforts to support marginalised and vulnerable people across the city. Sleep Out for Street Connect raises much-needed funds to support such work. They’re calling for people to swap their beds and homes for sleeping bags so people who are in addiction and homeless can wake up to an opportunity for change.

The fundraiser takes place on the grounds of Home Church Scotland, but participants are encouraged to Sleep Out wherever they want – at home, in the garden, or any safe place of their choice. The key is to get involved and make a difference. Registration is free, with participants raising money from sponsorship. People are encouraged to include family and friends to make it as fun and educational as possible.

Leeds local charity event ideas

Here in the UK, we love our canine friends. Including dogs at your fundraiser is guaranteed to get tongues and tails wagging. The Great British Dog Walk 2022 in Leeds is a fun-filled sponsored walk to raise money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Children and dogs go free, and an adult ticket costs £10. There’s a complimentary dog bandana with every adult ticket and an activity pack with plenty of fun things to do while walking. Starting slots are pre-booked, giving the option of walking with others or with their family and friends. There are no limits on group sizes.

Asking people to find sponsors is a tried-and-tested method of raising funds. At this event, raising over £50 wins you a prize, and walkers raising over £100 receive a hearing dog puppy sponsorship that lets them follow a puppy’s training journey for up to two years.

London local charity event ideas

As befitting the capital city, London hosts numerous charity events every year. Examples include:

London Night Hike 2022

Following a scenic route along the Thames, this nighttime sponsored walk is in support of Maggie’s cancer charity. People can choose to complete 10 miles or 20 miles. Early bird registration is £20, full-price tickets are £29, and sponsorship targets are £150 for the shorter route and £225 for the longer one. All participants receive a free T-shirt, and an army of volunteers looks after walkers during the event.

St Thomas’ Abseil 2022 – Evelina London Children’s Charity

This daring abseil involves descending 160ft down the side of St Thomas’ Hospital. With views of the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, and River Thames, this adrenaline-fuelled challenge promises to be unforgettable. Every penny raised goes to Evelina London Children’s Charity.

Remember, when organising something potentially dangerous like an abseil, enlist the help of reputable providers. Participants may need specific levels of expertise, and several factors, including insurance, building inspection, and licensing, must be in place.

Tried in the fire

Charity events where guests can dress up and have a night out are always popular. To raise money for the charity MIND, Ring King Events offers an action-packed night of white-collar boxing. The dress code is smart-casual, and ticketing options range from general admission to VIP tables with table service. Participants can book individually or reserve whole tables for up to 10 guests.

Manchester local charity event ideas

Sometimes the charities you support favour a more reflective approach, such as mental health charities. Think carefully about where you host the event, the time of day, and who to involve. Working closely with the charity helps align your event with its principles.

WSPD Flag Bearer is a vigil and remembrance procession through the streets of Manchester to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. The purpose is to remember lives lost to suicide and support those left behind. After an assembly of unity, yellow flags representing a life lost to suicide are unfurled and carried. The procession ends with a vigil of speakers and performances in honour of lives lost. Guests can add the name of their loved one to the roll of remembrance.

Newcastle local charity event ideas

Newcastle has a reputation for being one of the friendliest and liveliest cities in the UK. It’s an ideal setting for I HAVE A DREAM… The Mamma Mia Ball. The Abba theme for this annual ball ensures everyone knows the words; there’s even a vocal trio to lead the singing. All proceeds go to help disabled children across the North East.

A charity ball is a perfect excuse for a dazzling evening of food, drink, entertainment, and fundraising. Consider an auction (securing unique prizes keeps those bids high!) and offer various tickets for individual, small-group, or whole-table bookings.

Nottingham local charity event ideas

Some charity fundraising events are more niche – Beardon 2022 is one of those. This fun event in Nottingham is the brainchild of Central Beardsmen, a group of bearded friends who support each other and the wider community.

It doesn’t get more select than competitive bearding. Attendees compete in categories, including the best in the show. There’s also live music, beer, hot food, and an official photographer to capture the day. This year, the money raised goes to Orchid – a British charity funding research into diagnosing, preventing, and treating male cancers.

Top tip: Hosting a fundraiser that attracts a specific group lets you focus your planning and marketing. Once you know your audience, work with charities your followers relate to and support.

Suffolk local charity event ideas

Some want to push their boundaries with challenges, obstacles, mud, sweat and tears.

Maybe you have the perfect location to help people find their inner warrior – like the organisers of Only The Brave 2022. Participants tackle a six or 10-mile route with up to 35 obstacles. These range from monkey bars for testing endurance to giant slip-and-slide style descents.

An incentive to find sponsors? Offering a subsidised ticketing system for attendees who raise more money. At this event, participants receive a T-shirt, goody bag, and finishers medal. Starting times are in half-hourly waves, allowing as many people as possible to complete the course.

How do you throw a charity event?

Planning a charity event is easier when you break it down into steps. First, clarify your goals, then figure out how to achieve them. Learning about why people participate in fundraising events helps. Set a budget and be realistic. Recruiting volunteers keeps costs down, and linking with local communities is better still. Securing sponsorship and donations is always beneficial, as is fixing the date, time, and venue early on.

Remember, people need to hear about your event. Social media, influencers, local and community newspapers, flyers, posters, and support from local businesses are all ways to promote your charity event.

Host a local charity event