Ceredigion Preseli ranked second in Wales for the share of household income donated to charity

PEOPLE in Wales donated an estimated £530 million to charity last year, down from £645 million in 2024, according to new research.

But the Charities Aid Foundation report also contains a striking west Wales finding, with Ceredigion Preseli ranked as the second most generous constituency in the country.

Residents in Ceredigion Preseli donated an average of 1.21 per cent of household income to charity, behind only Cardiff North, which topped the Welsh list at 1.32 per cent.

The constituency ranked ahead of Gower, Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Ynys Môn, Cardiff West, Monmouthshire and Caerfyrddin.

Across Wales, however, the wider picture shows a fall in charitable giving. CAF said 54 per cent of people in Wales donated to charity last year, down from 61 per cent in 2024.

The charity said household financial pressures were a major factor, with one in five people across the UK saying they do not donate because they cannot afford it.

CAF’s Local Giving Report looked at charitable giving, community engagement and local pride across every UK constituency.

It found that 35 per cent of people in Wales already engage in their local community, while 18 per cent would like more opportunities to get involved.

More than half of people in Wales, 56 per cent, said they had a sense of local pride. In Monmouthshire, that figure rose to 70 per cent.

The report suggests that people who feel more connected to their local communities are more likely to support charities and good causes.

Mark Greer, Managing Director of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: “Charities are at the core of our communities. Through their work up and down the country, they strengthen local areas and support those in need.

“When we are facing a sustained trend of declining donations, part of the solution to unlocking greater giving lies in understanding the power of place and community.

“It might seem obvious, but places matter to people. This report shows that when people are engaged in a local area, they tend to give more.”

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Wales, said: “This report confirms again the generosity of people in Wales in backing the causes that are important to them.

“Wales has a strong history of giving and philanthropy. We see reminders of it all around us in how donors and philanthropists have shaped our communities, from the miners building community halls to the people today who support our most vulnerable people.

“At a time when community groups and charities are needed more than ever, this support continues to be critically important.”

COUNCILLOR Michele Wiggins and Councillor Roy Thomas, both respective outgoing Mayors for Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest, are proud to announce that they have had a truly successful year of raising funds and awareness for the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Councillor Michele Wiggins dedicated a great deal of her time supporting and championing her chosen charities, The Paul Sartori Foundation and Forever 11 throughout her mayoral term and raised £1,700 for each charity. 

With equal dedication and spirit, Councillor Roy Thomas, supported by Mayoress Shirley Thomas, raised £2,172.50 for the Foundation, as well as raising money for charity Sandy Bear.

Throughout the year, both mayors have hosted afternoon teas, coffee mornings, sponsored walks, bingo evenings, and much more, in what has been a really special year of community spirit. 

The Paul Sartori Foundation’s Community Relationship Officer, Rosie-Faye Hart said: “As respected and prominent figures in the community, the support of the town mayors has had a significant impact on community awareness and participation, as well as ensuring that the safe continuation of these vital services are maintained through important community fundraising partnerships.”

These partnerships are not just about raising funds, but also raising the profile of the charity, spreading the word about the hospice at home services, and telling people about the fact that the services are free at the point of use. 

Without this kind of community support and spirit, the Foundation would not be able to help so many of those in need across Pembrokeshire.

Being chosen as Charity of the Year means that Paul Sartori can make a significant impact in a truly collaborative way, with communities as the focus. 

If you would like to choose Paul Sartori as your Charity of the Year in the future, they would be delighted to hear from you and support you in any way they can. Email Rosie-Faye on [email protected] or call Head Office on 01437 763 223.

STAFF at the Development Bank of Wales have raised more than £88,000 for mental health charity bigmoose during a record-breaking year of fundraising.

The money raised by the bank’s 280-strong team, including colleagues from subsidiary FW Capital, will help fund fast access to therapy and counselling for more than 170 people experiencing mental health challenges across the UK.

The partnership was the Development Bank’s tenth charity partnership and has become its most successful fundraising year to date.

Colleagues took part in a range of fundraising activities during the year, with the final total reflecting what the bank said was the commitment of staff across the organisation.

The Development Bank has now announced Maggie’s as its new charity partner for 2026/27, in memory of Dr Carl Griffiths, a much-loved colleague who died in autumn 2025 following a short battle with cancer.

Maggie’s provides free expert cancer support to people living with cancer, as well as their family and friends, through centres based alongside NHS hospitals across the UK.

Support includes psychological, emotional and practical help, benefits advice, coping strategies and one-to-one counselling.

Fundraising for Maggie’s will run throughout the year, with staff from the Development Bank and FW Capital taking part in activities to raise money and awareness for the charity’s work.

Jeff Smith, CEO and co-founder of bigmoose, said: “176 people will now receive a full course of therapy because of the support from the Development Bank of Wales and FW Capital. That’s the power of partnerships like this – people getting the support they need, when they need it.

“With mental health services stretched to breaking point, bigmoose exists to disrupt how people access support by providing fast, effective therapy before people hit crisis point. Support from the Development Bank of Wales and FW Capital allows us to keep delivering that service to the people who need it most.”

Rachael Davies, Fundraising Manager at Maggie’s, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Development Bank of Wales Group for choosing Maggie’s as their Charity of the Year for 2026/27. Partnerships like this play a vital role in allowing us to keep our doors open and ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.

“We’re really looking forward to working with colleagues over the coming year and are thankful for their commitment to supporting people affected by cancer.”

Andrea Richardson, Chair of the Development Bank of Wales Charity Oversight Committee, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what our colleagues have achieved in support of bigmoose. Raising more than £88,000 over the past year is a record for us and reflects the generosity, commitment and energy of teams across the organisation.

“As we move into our new partnership with Maggie’s, we’re excited to build on that momentum and continue supporting charities that make a real, tangible difference to people and communities across the UK.”

Representatives from the Development Bank of Wales present a cheque to bigmoose.