We’ve raised £194 676.68 for charities since 2018!
All the #stalbanspostboxes toppers are made with love, imagination and possibly some swearing, and at no cost, by volunteers. Business sponsors, families, local groups and individuals generously donate their money. Admin, emails, phone calls, helpers, web designers, cartographers, press release writers, social media posters, photographers, all donating time and expertise behind the scenes. We choose two charities each year for the work that they do locally and for the wide range of people they support in and around St Albans. ALL money received for the topper sponsorship is paid directly to the charities. Admin and support is provided by Clare and team at Atlas Translations; and Candy Stuart and Lucy Dronfield co-ordinate the fabulous volunteers on the yarnbombing team – who work practically all year!
Our 2026 Charities
The Pinoeer Club told us: “We’re incredibly grateful to St Albans Postboxes for choosing to support The Pioneer Club in 2026. Since 1941, we’ve provided a safe, inclusive space where young people can connect, build confidence and express themselves – whether that’s through music, skating or simply spending time together. This support will help us grow our youth programmes, reach more families and continue providing a place where young people feel they belong. The funding, alongside the increased awareness, will make a real difference to our community.”
The team at Herts Inclusive Theatre (HIT) told us: “We support Disabled children, youth and adults across Hertfordshire to pursue their passions with like minded peers and participate in the Arts without barriers. We provide vital social outlets in our communities, empowering participants to express themselves in their own ways and facilitating unique, innovative performances in local theatre venues that showcase the wonderful imagination and creativity that goes hand in hand with diversity, equity and inclusion.
With regular term-time drama groups, holiday activities at Trestle Arts Base and commissioned projects in schools and at local community festivals and events, we ensure that everyone has a meaningful part to play. Caregivers and families receive vital respite and build community, knowing that when with us, their loved ones are having fun in a safe and accepting space. Funding helps us to run our community drama groups at high-calibre local venues with a commitment to access and inclusion, and to staff sessions with freelance facilitators expert in a wide range of artistic disciplines from improv to puppetry, who possess the training and experience to combine artistic talent with truly inclusive delivery and support.
Your donations will allow us to resource workshops with sensory materials, visual resources, inclusive technology and equipment that helps those with sensory impairments, speech language and communication difficulties or social emotional and mental health challenges to engage, interact and enjoy creativity catered to their needs. Your donations will support people of all ages to improve their wellbeing through empowerment, expression and belonging. “
St Albans Postboxes – quick history!
Since we started, we have supported many charities, large and small. All providing support to many sections of the community:
Dec 2018 Earthworks, Counselling Foundation, Ollie Foundation – £10 191.60
Dec 2019 Age Concern St Albans, Small Acts of Kindness £12 344.44
Summer 2020 covid special St Albans and District Foodbank and Open Door St Albans £3 520.56
Dec 2020 St Albans and District Foodbank and Open Door St Albans £26 494.52
Dec 2021 The ADD-vance ADHD and Autism Trust and YOUTH TALK £30 097.50
Dec 2022 St Albans Community Pantry and St Albans Action for the Homeless £25 219.20
Dec 2023 Cancer Hair Care and Hertfordshire MIND Network £25 006.75
Dec 2024 Gaddesden Place Riding for the Disabled and Up on Downs £31 564.65
Dec 2025 – Comfort Cases UK and Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline £30 243.46
We stipulate that whoever we support must be a registered charity. They must provide evidence of this, and they must have an official charity bank account, run by Trustees. We also require the charity to be registered with a charity fundraising platform such as Give As You Live Donate. This means donations are made directly to the fundraising platform and split and distributed directly to the charities – no money passing through anybody else.
By changing our charities each year, we are shining a spotlight on different charities each year, and helping different charities. Each charity is different – we believe all are deserving of our support for the work they do in the local community.
Of course there are 100s of causes we could support. Unfortunately, especially with a cost of living crisis, a recession and everything else going on, more people than ever need more support in all sectors.
We work hard to keep the project running as simply as possible. If you have a suggestion for a local registered charity, you are welcome to contact us, or suggest to the charity that they put themselves forward. We ask charities to apply to us in January and February each year and make our decision around April. This year the closing date for applications was 14 February 2026.
We welcome any help and support with social media, photography, and marketing, press etc. Contact details can be found here: https://www.stalbanspostboxes.org.uk/contact-us/