Although publicly funded by the government through taxation, the NHS only has a set budget to work with every year. The UK has an ageing population and people are often living with several long-term conditions, which puts our health services under even more pressure. NHS Charities across the country give an average of a million pounds a day to help our NHS services.

Charities have always existed to help health services do more, and deliver even better care, for patients and their families. The first hospital here in Leeds, dating back to 1767, was set up thanks to donations from local businesses.

Nowadays, we exist to champion our NHS and give thanks for the great care it provides. We help our NHS staff do more and pay for the ‘added extras’ that the NHS wouldn’t usually fund.