Charity

France's community kitchens expand nationwide

Not-for-profit Les Petites Cantines fosters social cohesion through shared meals and local engagement

Why these French MPs step out for walks with 'forgotten people'

Thirty politicians have joined the scheme to hear the views of marginalised individuals

French charity makes terminally ill people's dreams come true

Ambulance Des Rêves has helped with many projects including organising a private screening of the Mona Lisa

How do I leave money to charity in France?

We look at the different options you have when leaving money to charities, and what you should take into consideration

Old clothes turned into home insulation and sold in French DIY shops

The insulation is made from donated charity garments that are too badly damaged to be resold

Skydive initiative helps French cancer patients ‘jump into life’

Tia Chaumeret, who launched the scheme aged just 16, says participants find it liberating and a moment when they leave their illness behind

English-speaking animal rescue charity in France appeals for helpers

The Phoenix Association warns that animal welfare is at stake without more people to help with its fundraising efforts

British Legion in France widens remit as Poppy Appeal picks up pace

The support the charity gives is constantly evolving, says a branch chairman, and it helps all in need including those without a military background

Nice airport donates confiscated travellers’ goods to French charity

Tonnes of food, drink and toiletries left at security were previously destroyed

Can I get French income tax reductions on donations to UK charities?

You can get a sizable reduction on taxable income for donations (within a limit) to French charities. We look at whether this is the case for British ones and if Brexit has changed anything

Can I leave money to charities helping Britons in France?

To avoid issues, it is better to opt for France based charities

French resident on 12,000km virtual cycle in aid of addiction support

The woman and her friends had the idea after the death of a close friend. ‘We also want to raise awareness… to show that addiction travels with a person’

We found our extended family volunteering in France, says UK-US couple

The pair are helping out at their local Emmaüs branch and combine their hobbies with meaningful work

Oxfordshire-Dordogne: ‘we’re cycling 700km for motor neuron disease’

A team of four plan a charity bike ride in memory of a close family member who died from the incurable condition in 2020

Benefactor who saved thousands honoured

The British Charitable Fund has, in 2018, been celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of one of its most famous benefactors, Sir Richard Wallace, who gave both his money and time to help starving British men, women and children during the Prussian siege of Paris, between September 1870 to June 1871.

Inheritance in France: Leaving a property to charity can bypass tax

Partner article: Some guidelines for people who want to bequeath their estate to an association or foundation

I live near site of Var wildfire: How can I donate to help victims?

Several Var mairies are accepting donations of money, food and clothes for people affected by last week’s fire

Pay less French tax on 2021 income by giving or investing this month

Before the end of 2021, here is a reminder of how you can give to charity or invest so as to reduce your tax bill for this year's income, declared next spring

Alarm as number of isolated and lonely over-60s in France doubles

Petits Frères des Pauvres, a leading charity for the elderly, said its studies found 530,000 people affected, the equivalent of a city like Lyon

I’ve lived in France 30 years but Red Cross work boosts community link

Connexion reader Helen Beaney tells of how volunteering just a few hours here and there can help improve your French and become ‘part of the local grapevine’

US actor to help Seine-Saint-Denis youth: ‘Their diversity is wealth’

Hollywood star Forest Whitaker insists Seine-Saint-Denis, north east of Paris, is equally deserving of funds from his charitable foundation as impoverished areas such as Uganda and South Sudan

French gaming event raises record €10million for Action Against Hunger

The annual event sees popular gaming streamers come together to play a 50-hour marathon session and raise money for charity

RAFA charity helps members with health pass pointers and Covid calls

The association is part of UK-based charity RAFA, and has 157 members (French and British) spread over a vast area in south west France

Two France-based women to tackle all woman Sahara Desert off-road race

The pair from the UK and New Zealand, who live in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in France, will drive around 1,500km across the desert as part of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles

US potato-dish fan in France now raising money for Restos du Coeur

The American tourist’s passionate praise of a chain potato restaurant was retweeted worldwide and he has now prompted hundreds to give to charity – including the restaurant group itself

Author Martin Walker is VIP guest at Dordogne animal charity book fair

The Great Phoenix Book Fair will take place on July 3 with the aim of raising money to care for and rehome animals in France

Tetraplegic French rapper releases new album composed with his eyes

The new ‘mini-album’ record by Pone will raise money to help people like him – who require tracheotomy operations to survive – to receive care at home

Croix-Rouge sets up English-speaking helpline in France

The new English-speaking helpline has been set up by volunteers from the French Red Cross in Saint-Lô in the Manche

Amputee to climb 2,310 steps for French children’s cancer charity

She is hoping to raise €1 for every step

French artist creates 10 new stamp designs for Croix-Rouge

The colourful and distinctive ‘handwriting’ designs by Nice artist Ben go on sale tomorrow. Each pack sold will lead to a donation of €2 to help vulnerable people

British sailor raises €800k for charity during French race

Sam Davies completed the gruelling Vendée Globe sailing course today and, despite being technically out of the race, raised enough money to help 102 children with heart problems

English-language mental health helpline in France issues SOS

SOS Help is appealing for donations as demand for emotional support has increased during the Covid-19 crisis

French charity gifts desserts to elderly alone at Christmas

Members of the public can buy festive treats in participating bakeries and online to gift to elderly people celebrating alone this year

Calais ‘Jungle’: 'You don’t expect to see that in Europe'

Clare Moseley set up charity Care4Calais in 2015 after seeing the Calais 'Jungle' with her own eyes

Barrel of French wine smashes charity sale record

Auction's charity lot raises previous record by €300,000

Each social media click for Globe sailor is €1 for charity

Briton Sam Davies is competing in an around-the-world race to raise money to support children with heart defects

Lego wanted to help make wheelchair ramps in eastern France

The plastic bricks will be used to help make ramps for people who use wheelchairs; it takes 1,600 bricks to make one ramp.

French animal sanctuary in urgent need of donations

Big V, a sanctuary in France that cares for more than 160 rescued animals, is in urgent need of donations and volunteers if it is to survive

Are legacies to churches exempt from French inheritance tax?

In our monthly column Legal Notes, reader questions are answered and explained.

90-year-old Brit's garden trek raises €5,500 for charity

A 90-year-old Briton has raised nearly €5,500 for charity funds for his local Anglican church in France by completing a sponsored walk around his house and garden.

Hang phone cable from window to help the homeless

People in towns and cities with windows facing the street have been asked to leave a plug extension lead dangling from a window – ground or first floor only – to help homeless people recharge their mobiles.

Cancer charity continues its wider help for vulnerable

Cancer Support France, which provides support to English-speakers touched by cancer, is continuing the enhanced service it began during the Covid-19 lockdown: supporting anyone who is elderly, vulnerable, isolated or has any kind of health issue.

Coronavirus: Celebrities urge Macron to help animals

Forty-seven celebrities from the world of music, cinema and television in France have written an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron asking for financial aid to help animal protection associations and shelters badly affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

Fine French wine auctioned to help Covid-19 care staff

High-end fine French wines are being sold at auction to raise money in support of healthcare staff working on the frontline against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Phone lines open to offer listening ear

Cancer charity remains open for support