David and Sarah were identified as the most charitable names in the UK based on charity donation data. In 2025, individuals named David contributed over £8.5 million to charitable causes, while those named Sarah were the most frequent donors, making more than 233,000 donations.
Other generous donors included individuals with names like John, Paul, and James, each contributing over £6 million through the platform. The collective group of Sarahs donated a total of just over £5.7 million, while Davids led the way with over 217,000 donations. Additionally, names like James, Emma, and Paul made significant contributions, each with over 169,000 individual donations.
Overall, 2025 set a record for charitable giving, with one million fundraising pages created and over 18 million donations made to UK charities through JustGiving. Leeds emerged as the most generous city, with each resident donating an average of £7.88, driven by 18% of locals using the platform. Edinburgh, Leicester, and Bristol followed with average donations of £7.09, £6.55, and £6.28 respectively.
London ranked eighth with an average donation of £4.50, but still contributed over £44 million in total. Pascale Harvie, president of JustGiving, highlighted the extraordinary year for charitable giving, emphasizing the UK’s continuous support for fundraisers and causes close to people’s hearts.
Furthermore, JustGiving revealed that fundraisers logged 73 million miles through fitness apps in 2025, raising £164 million through running challenges alone. The platform witnessed its most successful day for charitable running events during the London and Manchester Marathons, generating over £45 million in pledges.
Additionally, thousands of individuals participated in fundraising events, raising millions for various causes. Schools across the UK also contributed over £31 million collectively through charitable activities.
Looking ahead to 2026, a poll of 2,000 UK adults indicated that a significant portion plan to set fundraising goals and increase charitable contributions. Health and medical research, animal welfare, and children’s education are the top causes Brits intend to support, followed by mental health, homelessness, and environmental causes.
Real stories of those in need are a key motivator for donations, with many respondents expressing a desire to support new charities. As the holiday season approaches, many believe that donating toys, clothes, or food to families in need, or supporting local charities, are meaningful ways to give back.
Pascale Harvie encouraged continued enthusiasm for fundraising and charitable giving in 2026, emphasizing that every act of kindness, big or small, makes a significant impact on vital causes. She highlighted the importance of supporting causes personal to individuals and stressed that even small acts of generosity can have a profound effect on those in need.