How can film help charities tell their most powerful stories? In this episode of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley dive into the world of charity films with special guest Simon Burton, founder of the Smiley Charity Film Awards.

From viral success stories to emotional storytelling, this episode explores:

• How the Smiley Charity Film Awards became the UK’s biggest celebration of charity storytelling
• Why the best charity films create emotional connections that drive action
• The biggest challenges charities face when making films—and how to overcome them
• How smaller charities can compete with big organisations using creative, shareable content
• The latest charity sector news, including innovative fundraising trends and the challenges facing charity shops

If you want to learn how to craft compelling stories that engage supporters and boost your charity’s reach, this episode is a must-listen.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

#CharityPodcast #CharityShow #CharityExperts #Storytelling #Fundraising #NonprofitMarketing #SmileyCharityFilmAwards

Chapters

(00:00) Coming up in Episode 19

(01:36) Welcome to Episode 19

(08:41) Introduction to Simon Burton

(09:54) Simon Burton interview - Part 1

(26:54) Charity news

(35:04) Simon Burton interview - Part 2

(56:00) Superstars of the week

(01:01:11) Coming soon

Featured Charities and Useful Links:

• Smiley Charity Film Awards

• DeafBlind UK

• Scope

Get involved:

• Email us: [email protected]

• Send us a voice message

• Follow us on LinkedIn for updates and polls

• Leave us a comment or review

Full episode transcript:

• Read the full transcript here

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!

How can charities better connect with young people—and why does it matter? In this episode of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley explore the vital role of young people in shaping the charity sector’s future.

They sit down with Mel Kelly and Catherine Hogan, inspiring Young Ambassadors for The Brain Tumour Charity, who share their personal journeys and the unique skills young people bring to the table.

Key topics in this episode:

• Why 40% of 18 to 24-year-olds in the UK are interested in joining charity boards—and what this means for the sector
• How charities can use social media to build trust and engage younger supporters
• The power of volunteering and advocacy beyond financial donations

If you're a charity leader, fundraiser, or comms professional looking to attract the next generation of supporters, this episode is for you.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

#CharityPodcast #CharityShow #CharityExperts #YouthEngagement #YoungTrustees #NonprofitLeadership #Fundraising

Chapters

(00:00) Coming up in Episode 18

(01:23) Introduction

(05:12) The importance of young people in charities

(08:45) Interview with Mel Kelly and Katherine Hogan - Part 1

(15:30) The Young Ambassador Programme

(20:55) Social media's role in charity engagement

(27:10) Third sector news: Youth for Youth relaunch

(30:45) Interview with Mel Kelly and Katherine Hogan - Part 2

(39:12) Spotlight on L Anne Kirkman's sleep out challenge

(42:55) Celebrating young superstars of the week

(49:30) Upcoming episodes and closing remarks

Featured Charities and Useful Links:

• ⁠Brain Tumour Charity⁠

• ⁠The Esther Project⁠

• ⁠Youth for Youth⁠

• ⁠Rays of Sunshine⁠
• ⁠Fire Fighters Charity⁠
• ⁠Just Like Us⁠

Get involved:

• Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

• ⁠Send us a voice message⁠

• Check out our episode poll on Spotify

• Leave us a comment or review

Full episode transcript:

• ⁠Read the full transcript here⁠

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Tim Hogan

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!

What do Meta’s latest changes, major donor philanthropy, and Snoop Dogg have in common? They’re all shaping the future of the charity sector—and we’re diving into it all in this episode of The Charity Show.

Hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley kick off 2025 with expert insights on how charities can navigate the evolving digital landscape, build meaningful relationships with high-value donors, and capitalise on unexpected opportunities.

Key topics in this episode:

• How Meta’s latest updates, led by Mark Zuckerberg, could impact charity fundraising and social engagement
• The power of major donor philanthropy, featuring an exclusive interview with Sally Williams, Head of Philanthropy at the Royal College of Physicians
• Sally’s journey from the British Army to the charity sector—and what she’s learned about building strong donor relationships
• A £1.4 million legacy gift to the RNLI and what it means for charities relying on gifts in wills
• Snoop Dogg’s unexpected support for a small London charity—proving philanthropy can come from anywhere
• Celebrating charity champions from The King’s 2025 New Year’s Honours list, including young changemaker Michaela Beans and renowned neurosurgeon Professor Kemore Ashkan

If you’re in fundraising, philanthropy, or charity leadership, this episode is packed with insights to kickstart your year.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

#CharityPodcast #CharityShow #CharityExperts #Fundraising #Philanthropy #MajorDonors #LegacyGiving #NonprofitLeadership

Chapters

(00:00) Coming up in Episode 17

(01:46) Welcome back and Happy New Year

(05:22) Major donor philanthropy with Sally Williams- Part 1

(08:40) Moving from the armed services into the third sector

(10:51) The Institute of Cancer Research

(13:27) What is a Senior Philanthropy Manager?

(14:25) Developing relationships with major donors takes time and investment

(18:17) Restricted gifts

(21:02) Third Sector News

(29:42) Major donor philanthropy with Sally Williams- Part 2

(31:47) Major donors and ethical considerations

(33:31) Demonstrating the impact of donations

(38:26) Measuring success

(40:45) Competition for major donors

(46:19) Superstars of the Week - Honours special

(53:11) Coming soon

Featured Charities and Useful Links:

• RNLI
• Institute of Cancer Research
• The Royal College of Physicians
• Daylight Studio
• Fire Fighters Charity
• The Brain Tumour Charity
• New Year Honours List 2025 - GOV.UK

Get involved:

• Email us: [email protected]
• Send us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCharityShow
• Check out our episode poll on Spotify
• Leave us a comment or review

Full episode transcript:

• Read the full transcript here

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!

Episode 16 of The Charity Show brings a festive flair as hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley delve into the holiday season with a mix of charity news, quizzes, and heartwarming stories.

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome to our Christmas special

(01:37) Mince pies and other matters

(04:17) Cheese or service station

(05:27) South Yorkshire Fire Rescue Service bid for Christmas number one

(07:55) Festive third sector news

(08:16) Scuba diving santas

(09:24) Tesco gingerbread for good

(11:04) Well done Liverpool!

(11:31) Streaming for Christmas

(14:32) The Charity Show Christmas Quiz

(15:19) December is the most generous month for charitable giving in the UK

(15:52) Use these questions to test your Christmas music knowledge

(16:47) The Big Issue foundation encourages people to buy which festive item as a gift

(18:48) Superstars of Christmas

(22:24) Christmas Quiz - The Answers

(28:31) End of the year and coming soon

Featured Charities and Links:

Get involved:

Full episode transcript:

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!

What does it take to lead some of the UK’s biggest charities? In this episode of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley sit down with Chris Sherwood, outgoing CEO of the RSPCA, as he reflects on his leadership journey and his next big challenge at the NSPCC.

Chris shares insights on:

• The rewards and challenges of leading major charities
• Why mentoring matters in the charity sector
• His transition from animal welfare to child protection and what he hopes to achieve at the NSPCC

Also in this episode:

• The Santa in the City run, where thousands of Santas took to the streets for charity
• A young schoolboy’s epic fundraising challenge—running the entire Cornish coastal path
• How Google Street View & Whizz-Kidz are making the London Underground more accessible for wheelchair users

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation with one of the sector’s most experienced leaders.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

#CharityPodcast #CharityShow #CharityExperts #NonprofitLeadership #Mentoring #Fundraising

Chapters

(00:00) Coming up in Episode 15

(01:23) Hello and welcome

(07:25) Introducing Chris Sherwood

(08:40) Chris's early charity career

(11:07) Becoming Chief Exec at Relate

(14:42) What qualities make a good Chief Exec?

(16:45) The importance of a good mentor

(21:02) Third sector news

(23:33) Controversies

(28:36) Chris Sherwood - Part 2

(32:41) Leading through the pandemic

(35:20) Moving on to NSPCC

(42:46) Balancing work and life

(44:45) Relaxing

(46:04) Superstars of the week

Featured Charities and Guest Links:

• ⁠⁠⁠RSPCA⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠NSPCC⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Whizz-Kidz⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Cornwall Wildlife Trust⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Sarcoma UK⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Relate⁠⁠⁠

Get involved:

• Email us: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Send us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCharityShow⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our episode poll on Spotify
• Leave us a comment or review

Full episode transcript:

• ⁠⁠⁠Read the full transcript here⁠⁠⁠

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!

What drives people to take on extreme charity challenges—and how do they create real impact? In this episode of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley sit down with former England rugby captain Lewis Moody MBE to discuss his journey from professional sport to leading the Lewis Moody Foundation.

Lewis shares how his foundation is funding life-changing brain tumour research and how its challenge events have raised over £2.3 million.

Key topics in this episode:

• The power of charity challenges in raising awareness and funds
• The Brain Tumour Charity’s recent work with Davina McCall and The Wanted’s upcoming charity gig
• Cryptocurrency in fundraising—how JustGiving now accepts over 60 types of crypto donations
• Innovative fundraising ideas, from vending machines in Solihull to Yorkshire Children's Charity’s efforts to keep children warm this winter

If you’re interested in fundraising, charity challenges, or new donation trends, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

#CharityPodcast #CharityShow #CharityExperts #Fundraising #CharityChallenges #CryptoDonations #LewisMoody #BrainTumourResearch

Chapters

(00:00) Coming up in Episode 14

(01:39) Welcome to Episode 14

(02:18) Davina McCall's brain tumour diagnosis

(07:49) Children In Need's epic night

(09:32) Men's Health Month, Prostate cancer and Sir ChrisHoy's legacy

(13:41) The rise of cryptocurrency

(17:38) Introducing Lewis Moody MBE

(22:55) Lewis's biggest challenge after retiring from rugby

(25:51) The inspiration behind the Lewis Moody Foundation

(34:00) Setting up the Foundation

(35:54) Fundraising through extreme challenges

(45:53) Lewis's pride in the Foundation

(52:43) Advice for anyone taking on a challenge event

(54:40) Fundraising vending machines

(56:17) Yorkshire Children's Charity providing warmessentials

(58:05) Coming up next time

Featured Charities and Guest Links:

• ⁠The Brain Tumour Charity⁠
• ⁠Prostate Cancer UK⁠

• ⁠JustGiving⁠

• ⁠Yorkshire Children's Charity⁠

• ⁠The Lewis Moody Foundation⁠

Sponsor Lewis on his Sahara Trek

• Donate here: The Brain Tumour Charity: Lewis Sahara Desert Trek

Get involved:

• All the links you need are on our LinkTree site: The Charity Show | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
• Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

• ⁠Send us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCharityShow⁠

• Check out our episode poll on Spotify

• Leave us a comment or review

Full episode transcript:

• ⁠Read the full transcript here: https://thecharityshowtranscripts.blogspot.com/2024/11/episode-14-full-transcript.html

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!

How will the UK’s latest budget impact the charity sector—and what can organisations do to adapt? In this episode of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley break down the key financial changes, including increased National Insurance contributions, and what they mean for charities across the UK.

Featuring insights from Saskia Koynenburg at the NCVO, the discussion covers:

• How budget changes will affect charity operational costs
• What charities can do to push back against financial burdens, including joining sector-wide petitions
• Tips from Tracy Anne-Breese on organising high-impact challenge events to boost fundraising

Also in this episode:

• A chance to win a copy of the inspiring new bookStories of Cancer and Hope
• Colin Farrell’s latest fundraising efforts for DEBRA Ireland
• A discussion on the potential impact of Donald Trump’s return on the charity sector

Stay informed, get inspired, and discover practical strategies to navigate financial challenges.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

#CharityPodcast #CharityShow #CharityExperts #Fundraising #NonprofitFinance #BudgetImpact #CharitySector

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome to Episode 13

(01:52) The US election and the Budget

(02:22) Will Donald Trump's second term impact charities around the world?

(04:08) Fire Fighters Charity team nominated for Charity Comms Inspiring Communicator Award

(06:41) Music Industry Trusts Awards honoured Jason Illey this year

(08:29) Saskia is back to talk about the impact of the Budget and National Insurance Contributions

(11:38) Any increases in budget to charities at this stage will ultimately mean cuts to services

(12:28) Saskia says reaction from charity sector was one of outrage

(20:18) NCVO has launched an open letter urging charities to sign up

(23:25) Kevin Donaghy has written a book called Stories of Cancer and Hope

(25:01) Win a copy of Stories of Cancer and Hope

(26:18) This week we take a closer look at challenge events with Tracey Anne-Breese

(27:21) How do you define a challenge event?

(31:31) Are there any key elements that make an event a success

(47:51) Group of Grey Dippers challenge themselves to go swimming in freezing cold waters

(50:03) Colin Farrell's marathon challenge

Featured Charities and Guest Links:

• National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
• Challenge Event Experts
• Maggie's Cancer Charity
• DEBRA Ireland
• Kevin's Book: Stories of Cancer and Hope
• North Ayrshire Foodbank
• Nordoff & Robbins Music Therapy
• The BRITS Trust

Win a copy of Stories of Cancer and Hope

To win a copy of Kevin Donaghy's inspirational book, just send us your name and address on an email to[email protected]. We'll pick a winner at random. Please also consider donating to Kevin's chosen charity, Maggie's Cancer Charity.

Get involved:

• Email us: [email protected]
• Send us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCharityShow
• Send us a written message: https://tr.ee/OvwtI-oDvJ
• Check out our episode poll on Spotify
• Leave us a comment or review

Full episode transcript:

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!

How should charities navigate the ethical challenges of social media in an era of constant change? In this episode of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley sit down with Adeela Warley, CEO of Charity Comms, to explore how Elon Musk’s changes to X (formerly Twitter) are impacting the sector and what charities can do to stay ethical and effective online.

Key topics in this episode:

• The evolving role of social media in charity communications
• How charities can balance free speech, ethics, and reputation management online
• Creative fundraising initiatives, including:

• Michelle Oldfield’s cheeky charity calendar supporting breast and prostate cancer charities
• Snowdog sculptures in Derbyshire raising funds for Blythe House Hospice
• The King’s Trust rebrand—what’s changing and why it matters
• The innovative “Invisible Chips” campaign supporting Hospitality Action

If you work in charity communications or fundraising, this episode is packed with insights, ethical considerations, and creative ideas to boost engagement.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

#CharityPodcast #CharityShow #CharityExperts #SocialMediaEthics #CharityComms #FundraisingInnovation #NonprofitMarketing

Chapters

(00:00) This podcast is produced by charity Insiders

(01:53) Welcome to Ep.12

(05:24) Shining a spotlight on the ethics of social media

(09:00) This week's third sector news

(10:41) The Prince's Trust is rebranded as The King's Trust

(12:28) Invisible chips

(13:42) The problem with X

(15:13) Welcome - Adeela Warley, Chief Executive, Charity Comms

(16:57) The question of withdrawing from X completely

(26:05) New social media channel checklist for charities

(30:05) Testing new emerging platforms

(33:02) Other challenges charities are facing with socialmedia

(37:22) Dealing with misinformation

(41:12) Charity Comms Inspiring Communicator Awards

(44:15) Cheeky charity calendar for 2025

(45:37) Snow dog sculptures to raise money for Derbyshire hospice

(47:48) Coming up

Featured charities and guest links:

-Charity Comms: https://www.charitycomms.org.uk/

• Charity Comms Social Media Hub: https://www.charitycomms.org.uk/social-media-updates-and-resources
• Charity Comms Social Media Platform Checklist: https://www.charitycomms.org.uk/social-media-platform-checklist

-Blythe House Hospice:https://www.blythehousehospice.org.uk/

-Breast Cancer Now: https://www.breastcancernow.org/

-Prostate Cancer UK: https://prostatecanceruk.org/

Get involved:

• Email us: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Send us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCharityShow⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Send us a written message: https://tr.ee/OvwtI-oDvJ⁠⁠⁠

• Check out our episode poll on Spotify

• Leave us a comment or review

Full episode transcript:

• ⁠Click here for full transcript

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!

How has Parkrun grown into a global movement with over 10 million runners and nearly a million volunteers? In this episode of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley celebrate 20 years of Parkrun, exploring its incredible impact on health, community, and charitable giving.

Key topics in this episode:

• The £560 million in unclaimed Gift Aid every year—how charities can take action
• Special guest Garrett Millerick, comedian and writer ofDo Gooders, on blending comedy with sensitive charity topics in his BBC Radio 4 sitcom
• The rising cost of stamps and its impact on charity Christmas card fundraising
• Honouring the legacy of Neil Dickson and his contributions to The Brain Tumour Charity

Whether you’re a fundraiser, charity leader, or simply love a good story about community impact, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

#CharityPodcast #CharityShow #CharityExperts #Parkrun #GiftAid #DoGooders #Fundraising #CommunityImpact

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome to the show

(01:39) Smiley Charity Film Awards and a legacy to remember

(06:05) What is the best sitcom?

(09:24) News: The price of stamps and missing GiftAid

(10:59) Parkrun turns 20

(15:39) Garrett Millerick: Do Gooders, the third sector and comedy

(47:01) Superstars of the week: Pothole disappointment and lifetime supporter

(50:41) Coming soon

Featured Charities and Guest Links:

• Garrett Millerick - Links to his socials, shows and everything you could need
• Do Gooders on BBC Sounds
• Sophie Kinsella's new book, What Does It Feel Like?
• Parkrun: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/
• RNLI: https://www.rnli.org/
• Wiltshire Air Ambulance: https://www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk/

Get involved:

• Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

• ⁠Send us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCharityShow⁠
• ⁠Send us a written message: https://tr.ee/OvwtI-oDvJ⁠⁠

• Check out our episode poll on Spotify

• Leave us a comment or review

Full episode transcript:

• Read the full transcript here: https://thecharityshowtranscripts.blogspot.com/2024/10/episode-11-full-transcript.html

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!

How can charities make the most of government-funded apprenticeships—and what’s the future of AI in the nonprofit sector? In this episode of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley explore the latest opportunities and challenges facing the charity world.

Featuring special guest Laura Thurlow BEM, former charity CEO and apprenticeship expert, this episode covers:

• Over 700 apprenticeship opportunities available to charities
• How AI is transforming the nonprofit sector—both its potential and its risks
• Why some charities consistently raise more than others and what fundraisers can learn
• The latest third-sector news and updates
• The inspiring journey of Dr. Catherine Pointer, a leukaemia survivor supported by the Little Princess Trust, now a cancer researcher funded by the charity

If you’re interested in charity innovation, fundraising success, or sector-wide opportunities, this episode is packed with practical insights.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. Don’t forget to follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

#CharityPodcast #CharityShow #CharityExperts #NonprofitApprenticeships #AIinCharity #FundraisingSuccess #CharityInnovation

Chapters:

• 00:00 Welcome to Episode 10
• 01:44 Charity sector updates from the last two weeks
• 06:56 Listener voice messages
• 07:31 Apprenticeship opportunities in the charity sector
• 09:38 AI technology in charity work
• 10:25 Charity news and inspiring stories
• 15:39 Interview with Laura Thurlow BEM
• 17:41 Government-funded apprenticeships and how charities can benefit
• 23:29 Smaller charities and apprenticeship programs
• 32:29 Laura Thurlow’s career and Queen’s Honours List
• 37:32 How to apply for apprenticeship programs
• 39:31 Superstars of the week

Featured Charities and Guests:

• Laura Thurlow, Charity Apprenticeship Advocate (LinkedIn)
• The JGA Group
• Little Princess Trust:Supporting children with cancer and funding cancer research
• Anthony Nolan UK:Saving lives through stem cell donations
• Young Gloucestershire: Supporting young people in need
• Donkey Sanctuary: Caring for donkeys and promoting animal welfare
• Women’s Aid,Refuge,IDAS,Safe Lives: Domestic abuse support charities

Get involved:

• Email us: [email protected]

• Send us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCharityShow
• Send us a written message: https://tr.ee/OvwtI-oDvJ⁠

• Check out our episode poll on Spotify

• Leave us a comment or review

Full episode transcript:

• Read the full transcript here: https://thecharityshowtranscripts.blogspot.com/2024/10/episode-10-full-transcript.html

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!