The Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal 2021

When the time came for The Telegraph to choose the charities that are the subject of this year’s Christmas appeal, we were struck not only by the good work of these charities but by the way the pandemic has made that work harder.

The Alzheimer's Society found that people with dementia were badly hit by coronavirus, with thousands dying and many more rapidly deteriorating as a result of the loneliness of lockdown.  Cancer charity Maggie's witnessed first-hand how hundreds of thousands of people with cancer were physically and mentally impacted by lockdown, experiencing considerable trauma, fear and stress. And, say the Dogs Trust, the trend for lockdown puppies encouraged cruel and unscrupulous breeding practices and a spike in the number of abandoned dogs is predicted in the near future.

And in the year it lost its patron, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award found that the young people to whom it offers its life-changing programmes and challenges were among those hardest hit by the pandemic.

Every year, The Telegraph showcases the work of deserving charities, and every year our readers respond with enormous generosity. We ask the same of you in 2021 on behalf of the four charities. Your generosity this Christmas will support their good works.