Chai raises £2.7m in ‘For All to ‘C’ campaign

Chai Cancer Care’s For All To ‘C’ Campaign raised £2.7 million towards its £4.1 million annual running costs, supported by a weekend of community events and an extraordinary 36-hour matched funding effort.

This year’s campaign launched on Thursday with 15,000 newly designed ‘Bags for Chai’, including a mini version which flooded kosher supermarkets, restaurants and shops.

Later that night, a packed-out whisky evening featured a dinner, tastings, raffle and auction.

Thousands of children in primary schools across the UK then took part in Friday’s traditional ‘Mad Hair Day’ to champion Chai’s work, followed by a Chai Shabbat held in 200 synagogues.

Weekend events included Street Lane Bakery in Leeds selling special purple Chai-themed doughnuts, Chai’s Young Professionals enjoying a challah bake at Brixton nightclub Ministry of Sound, a Swinging Sixties evening, 5k fun run, bingo afternoon in Glasgow, poker night in Manchester and challah bakes in Manchester and Leeds.

Sunday morning saw the launch of the 36-hour matched funding campaign, with an incredible £1 million raised by 1:30pm. At the heart of the action, more than 100 children and their families supported by Chai filled the Hendon centre for the annual ‘Chai Kids Family Fun Day’, complete with face painting, cookie decorating, hair braiding and football tricks, alongside a visit from Chai’s pet therapy dogs – Danny and Monty.

The campaign’s finale at 10pm on Monday night triumphed with more than 8,000 donations, beginning at just £5, propelling the total beyond £2.68 million.

Funds will go towards Chai’s 70 vital specialised services, supporting individuals and their families through every stage of the cancer journey.

Chai Chairman, Louise Hager, said: “We have been incredibly moved and energised by the extraordinary response from our community, especially in this challenging financial climate. The passion, generosity and unity shown throughout this campaign has been truly remarkable. It powerfully reflects both how vital Chai’s services are and how strongly our community recognises the specialised care we provide.”

She added: “We feel so blessed to have such wonderful team hosts, many of whom are clients themselves, our loyal supporters and our generous matchers, whose collective efforts have made this campaign such a success. As we receive no statutory funding, every single donation makes a real difference and ensures that Chai can continue to be there for each person who needs to turn to us.”

Chai Cancer Care relies on donations to meet its £4.1m annual running costs and does not charge for any of its services.