Each year the civic party selects charities to support for their year in office. In 2025 – 2026 The right honourable Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Martin Rowley BEM and The Sheriff of York, Paul Doughty, will be supporting 3 local charities:
During their year in office along with their consorts they will fundraise for the charities as well as aiming to raise the charities profiles by driving awareness and new opportunities.
There is a fundraising committee formed for the year which includes the civic party, representatives from each of the charities and other members invited to join by the civic party. Fundraising events include:
- golf days
- charity balls
- the annual Assize of Ale
Two Ridings Community Foundation enacts as a support to the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York’s charities administering funds raised by events and other sources of income such as grants.
York has a fantastic culture of volunteering with 70% of us doing some form of unpaid work for the community. The Civic Party are committed to support all charities, social enterprises, churches, and faith communities serving the people of York, and welcome all invitations to highlight and celebrate their contribution.
Family Matters York
Family relationships are incredibly important for personal wellbeing and for children’s futures. However, family life can be demanding, with many burdens and challenges. Outside pressures can also get in the way, leaving relationships without the regular investment and energy they deserve.
Family Matters York aims to strengthen family relationships by offering support to couples and parents through a range of courses, events and mentoring. They get alongside people, help them talk about their struggles, identify places where things might be improved, and share with them some tools and strategies to try at home. They believe that family is the bedrock of society and that by deepening family connections they can have positive impacts on the wider community.
Find out more on the Family Matters York website.
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion is the largest Armed Forces Charity supporting members, former members and families of anyone who served one day in the Amed Forces since 1921. They have a network of partners and charities who can help with welfare and transition, recovery and rehabilitation to any of them requiring our help funded by the annual Poppy Appeal.
They also work with politicians and officials at all levels to represent the interests of the Armed Forces Community. They lead the nation in commemorating and honouring those who have served and sacrificed in all conflicts in defence of our country and our allies.
Find out more on the Royal British Legion website.
York Against Cancer
York Against Cancer is a local charity helping local people affected by cancer. They provide a range of support services for patients and their families in York, North and East Yorkshire, including a free minibus that takes people from York to St. James’s Hospital in Leeds for radiotherapy appointments, free short breaks in our 2 luxury respite properties to help people recuperate from cancer treatment, an award-winning mobile chemotherapy unit, free, tailored exercise classes for cancer patients and our cancer support centre, The Leveson Centre. They also fund pioneering research at the Jack Birch Unit at the University of York, which has been internationally recognised for its groundbreaking research into bladder cancer.
Since starting in 1987, the charity has raised over £20 million to support people in York and across the region. Their aims today are the same as they were when the charity was founded - to support as many people affected by cancer as possible.
Find out more on the York Against Cancer website.
Also see
The Civic Office
Civic Services