Money hacks - How to help support good causes

Many charities have had a tough time of it during the cost of living crisis. It is clear that lots of people still want to support good causes, and that charities and voluntary organisations are needed more now than ever. But it is also clear there is less money and time to go round.

- Helen Dewdney

Start small and local

Donate items to local charity shops or a local cause. Or volunteer charities often value your time as much as cash.

If you have children at school, you may want to join, or start, a parent-teacher association.

How about asking family and friends to sponsor you for shaving off your hair or doing a walk or run? Or ask them for donations to sell at boot fairs or jumble sales.

Check your rubbish

Items regularly thrown out can often be used to raise money. For example, contact your nearest Crisp Packet Project group and send in your used, clean crisp packets so they can be turned into items such as blankets for homeless people.

Or donate milk bottle tops to raise money for Friends of Water Search and Rescue Team. A recycling firm turns them into pellets for making hard plastic items such as traffic bollards and cones and donates to the charity.

Alternatively, you can raise funds for your charity, school or not-for-profit organisation with your used ink cartridges. To find out more, go to the website of the Recycle4Charity programme.

Use your birthday

Set up a fundraiser Facebook contacts for your to enable them to make a donation instead of giving you presents and cards.