Bristol named UK's most caring city
A giant bouquet of flowers has been placed at Bristol's Christmas Steps as a thank you
Last updated 8th Aug 2024
As many towns and cities across the UK brace themselves for more right wing violence, Bristol is being named the most caring city in the country.
That's according to a charitable scheme called The Movement for Good Awards, run by the Benefact Group.
The scheme allows people to nominate charities they believe should be awarded money by the Benefact Group. Since 2019 it has recorded more than 1.9 million nominations from the British public, awarding more than £5 million to thousands of great causes around the UK and Ireland.
Over the past five years the Benefact Group says it has received nearly 40,000 nominations from Bristolians, which is more as a percentage of population, than have come from anywhere else in the UK.
Since the Movement for Good Awards started £110,000 has been awarded to 54 different charities in and around the city.
In celebration Bristol’s famous Christmas Steps sign has been transformed into a giant floral heart to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the people of the city for showing so much love for causes they care about. The installation which stands at 14 feet high by 13 feet wide, contains thousands of yellow tulips and roses to symbolise giving thanks.
Bristol-based Great Western Air Ambulance has benefited from donations as part of the awards.
Jenny Benson says: “For us, it’s essential funding that means the most. An average mission for the air ambulance charity cost £2,200 so the donation we received could potentially go towards saving a life.
"We want to say a huge thank you to the whole community. We receive no national or government funding, so it’s people in the community that keep us flying and literally saves lives.”
Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, says: “Since we launched the Movement for Good Awards in 2019 it’s been our ambition to donate critical funding to as many charities as we can by asking the public to tell us about the causes they care about the most.
"Thanks to the overwhelming public response it’s allowed the awards to thrive and grow, helping charities to change lives in local communities for the better.
“Every nomination counts but it’s heartwarming to see there are places where people go above and beyond to help the causes they care about most."
Leafy Gloucestershire, home to the Cotswolds and the cathedral city of Gloucester, comes in a close second with 74,000 nominations.
The Isle of Wight with its pretty seaside towns and quintessentially British attractions comes in third place with 9,300 nominations, while popular surf spot Cornwall follows in fourth, with 31, 000 nominations.
Rounding out the top five most caring places is Cheshire, where residents submitted 58,300 nominations for charities close to their hearts to receive donations.
If you're not aware of the scheme you can find out more by visiting www.movementforgood.com.