Favourite Charities

Which charities would children give the most money to?

In this survey we gave children a choice of some of the more well known charities and asked children, “Which of these charities would you give the most money to?” You can see which ones fared best in our pie chart on the right.

As you can see, one charity in particular dominated the results. Cancer Research took a whopping 39% of the vote. Animals and wildlife were also quite popular, with the WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature) and the RSPCA (Royal Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) coming second and third with 13% and 12% of the vote respectively. The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) and the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) came equal fifth, with both getting 9% of the vote. Bringing up the rear were the Salvation Army on 7%, the RNLI (Royal national Lifeboat Institution) on 5%, and both Oxfam and the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) on 3%.

Money Spent by Charity Fighting Cancer

In 2018-2019, Cancer Research UK spent £442 million on researching cancer and ways to beat it. The largest amount (£188 million) went on researching specific forms of cancer. £85m was spent on research into the biology of cancer, £79m on cancer centres and clinical trials units, £50m was passed on to other organisations, and £40m went on administration and support.

So, of the £188 million that went on research into specific cancers, how was that money broken down? Well, like this:

• Breast cancer - £28 million
• Lung cancer - £25 million
• Bowel cancer - £24 million
• Pancreatic cancer - £18 million
• Leukaemia - £15 million
• Prostate cancer - £13 million
• Brain cancer - £11 million
• Oesophageal cancer - £9 million
• Ovarian cancer - £8 million
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma - £4 million
• Melanoma - £4 million
• Liver cancer - £4 million
• Kidney cancer - £3 million
• Neuro-blastoma - £3 million
• Myeloma - £2 million
• Bladder cancer - £2 million
• Pharyngeal cancer - £2 million
• Cervical cancer - £2 million
• Other types of cancer - £11 million

Animal and Wildlife Charities

A long way behind Cancer Research, but occupying second and third places on our list, were the WWF and the RSPCA. Both of these aim to help animals in distress. The WWF aims to preserve and protect wild areas of the planet, and to reduce the harmful effects we humans have on the environment. The RSPCA is more concerned with individual animals, and in 2017 it investigated 141,760 reports of cruelty to animals. Despite this huge figure, only 1,492 of those investigations resulted in convictions.

As well as investigating cruelty, the RSPCA also rescues animals in distress. In 2017 it took in 114,584 animals, inserted 222,664 microchips and found homes for 44,611 unwanted animals. This is well worthwhile work, I’m sure you’ll agree, so thank you to all those who donate to these causes and help to make a difference.

More Survey Results