Book your tickets now to support our very worthwhile nominated charities for 2025.

Cambridge Acorn Project

Too many children and young people’s lives are damaged irreparably because of traumatic experiences and lack of support to address them. At Cambridge Acorn Project, we believe every child deserves a chance to thrive.

We provide therapeutic services for children and families affected by trauma, abuse, and financial hardship across Cambridgeshire. What makes us different is that we work long-term and provide Panoramic Packages of support – including therapy; clubs and activities; drop-in wellbeing hubs; and support to make homes safer. This long-term and holistic support is unique to Cambridge Acorn Project and has been developed over time by listening to the voices of the children and families we work with.

Our work is about breaking down cycles of trauma and poverty, tackling the inequality that stems from adverse childhood experiences, and helping children and families to emotionally recover. We offer long-term hope, support and community.

If you are looking for support, or want to find out more about our work, please visit cambridgeacornproject.org.uk

Cambridge Cancer Help Centre

We are a Cambridge charity offering support for local people diagnosed with cancer, and their families. The Centre offers a wide range of support including courses, 1:1 complementary therapies, specialist support groups and social activities. These are open to anyone at any stage of their cancer journey.

The Centre is located in The David Rayner Building at Scotsdales Garden Centre in Great Shelford offering three fully equipped therapy rooms and spacious areas for support groups and social activities. The Centre also benefits from free parking and excellent access, air purifiers and air conditioning and provides a safe and comfortable environment to meet. We are sincerely grateful to the Rayner family and the Scotsdales Charitable Foundation for their support in the establishment and ongoing running of the Centre.

Day to day management of the Centre is the responsibility of the Centre Team who offer a welcoming face and listening ear to everyone who visits. The team are available to explain what the Centre has to offer and explore ways in which the Centre can provide appropriate help and support.

If you are looking for support, or want to find out more about our work, please visit www.cambridgecancerhelp.org

Cambridge College Riding for the Disabled Association

Cambs College RDA provides weekly riding lessons for young disabled adults aged 16-30 years from the South Cambridge area. We are run entirely by volunteers and are responsible for all our own fundraising.

Our riders have a wide range of disabilities - physical, emotional and intellectual. In some cases, all three. Riding has multiple benefits for disabled people: it builds physical strength and coordination, gives confidence, develops concentration and new skills, and is fun and exciting.One rider said “it is like physio, but much more fun”. Contact with horses can have a very calming effect, especially on people with autism, and many enjoy a cuddle with the horses as well. For most of our riders, it is the highlight of their week.

Our group has also become a lively social unit. Despite their wide range of disabilities, participating in a common activity helps our riders to form new friendships as they make the difficult transition into adult life. Also, their parents and carers have formed their own supportive groups, helping each other with many of the practical and day to day problems that they face in helping these youngsters.

If you are looking for support, or want to find out more about our work, please visit www.cambscollegerda.org.uk

Cambridge Samaritans

Cambridge Samaritans provide support for anyone who needs us, non-judgementally and at all times of the day and night, 365 days a year. Callers may be suicidal, distressed, overwhelmed and struggling to cope. We are an entirely volunteering organisation with 150+ volunteers, all trained and supported by the Branch. We have no paid staff.

In addition to our telephone helpline, we reach out to our local communities through awareness raising activities such as Thriplow Daffodil Weekend and other major events including Cambridge Pride, Strawberry Fair and The Wellness Festival, and we offer talks and presentations to community organisations, groups and schools; an area we hope to expand.

We work with Hitchin Branch to provide significant support to Littlehey Prison, recruiting, training and supporting prisoners to be listeners for other prisoners. Our work with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Suicide Prevention Network aims to improve support for people in the Custody Suites and on release.

We are looking forward to the 2025 event; it’s always a great time for us to see and speak to lots of people as they pass our stall. Although we are hoping for better weather than last year, nothing puts us off from raising awareness of our services.

If you are looking for support, or want to find out more about our work, please visitt www.samaritans.org/branches/cambridge/