The Julia Rausing Trust has announced the recipients of its annual Christmas funding awards.

A total of 72 charities are sharing the awards, with a focus on supporting good causes that help people impacted by poverty, homelessness and domestic abuse.

The awards are also centred on charities based in the trust's three regions of interest, Gloucestershire, east Cheshire and London.

Buttle UK is among recipients of its largest grants this Christmas. It has received £1.5m for its programme to support the education of children impacted by poverty.

“This funding will enable us to continue providing vital support to children and young people facing poverty and crisis across the UK,” said Buttle UK’s director of fundraising and marketing Analiese Doctrove.

“By empowering vulnerable families with the resources, they need to rebuild their lives, we are not only alleviating immediate hardship but also creating pathways to long-term stability and opportunity.

“The Julia Rausing Trust’s commitment to supporting this work will have a lasting impact, helping us reach more children in need and drive meaningful change for future generations.”

Another is Women’s Aid for its work supporting women and children impacted by domestic violence, as is St Martin’s in the Field Charity for its work to provide emergency financial support to people in crisis.

Meanwhile, Comic Relief’s campaign with the Evening Standard to support people affected by homelessness has also received one of the largest grants.

Simon Fourmy, director of the Julia Rausing Trust said, “Helping the vulnerable and homeless was always an important part of Julia Rausing’s giving, especially in the winter months when need is particularly acute.

“This year marks the largest Christmas series of grants made by the Trust with 72 charities selected across the country with an emphasis on providing support to local communities.”

“The 2024 Christmas seasonal giving is now in its sixth consecutive year and we are pleased to continue this campaign through the new Trust bearing Julia Rausing’s name.”

Other charities supported include The Salvation Army, Age UK Cheshire, Citizens Advice Stroud and Cotswold and Youth Action Alliance.

The funder launched earlier this year in memory of philanthropist Julia Rausing, who passed away at the age of 63 in April.

The launch of the trust was announced by the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, which she started with her husband a decade ago and will continue its separate grant making programme.

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