2025 was a year of contrasts, fast-paced yet challenging. One thing’s certain: it was packed with big moments. As we step into 2026, let’s take a look back at the stories you read the most.
______________________________________________________________________

1. Women and girls’ charities face a ‘looming crisis’ due to demand surge
More than nine in ten charities that support women and girls are reporting a rise in demand, which only around a half believe they will be able to meet.

2. Charity Commission failed to comply with sexual abuse inquiry directions, says Ombudsman
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO ) has criticised the Charity Commission for failing to implement its recommendations to improve following its investigation into the regulator’s handling of two sexual abuse cases at charities.

3. Charity job candidates raise AI ‘errors and biases’ fears
Candidates for jobs in the charity sector have raised concerns of the increasing risk of bias and errors through recruiters’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) when assessing applications.

4. Cancer charity’s illuminated fundraiser reaches £1m milestone
A Royal Marsden Cancer Charity annual fundraiser that involves 30,000 illuminated white roses on display in a remembrance garden in central London has raised more than £1m since its launch five years ago.

5. Annual legacy campaign focuses on impact of gifts left to charities
Annual legacy giving campaign Remember A Charity Week launches today with a focus on the impact of charitable gifts on the support charities can offer.

6. 'Waxing lyrical about volunteering' among young people pays off, research finds
Youth volunteering has increased over the last decade amid a fall in the number of older people giving up their time for good causes.

7. ‘Year ahead will be a squeeze for many’, warns NCVO
The NCVO has warned that 2025 will be a tough year for many charities as they continue to tackle a "perfect storm" of “funding falling, costs increasing, and demand climbing”.

8. CEO retires after 40 years in the role
Care charity chief executive Mark Sherman is to retire after 40 years in the role.

9. Half of UK millionaires include charity in their wills, research shows
Half of the UK's high net worth individuals have included a charitable gift in their will, new research has shown.

10. National Trust confirms 500 job losses due to ‘cost pressures’
The National Trust has confirmed that 500 members of staff are to lose their job as it looks to make savings amid “sustained cost pressures that are affecting many charities”.

---