Heron stands on a grassy towpath next to the canal

Donate to charity

We urgently need your donations to help us restore and maintain 2,000 miles of historic canals and rivers. As a charity, your support is vital to keep our network protected and alive with nature.

An illustration of people and nature enjoying the canal

Donate

We rely on charity donations to help protect canals and rivers. Please support us with a one-off or monthly gift

Your £10 a month will help us keep one of the largest heritage estates in the UK in good repair, including thousands of listed buildings and even scheduled ancient monuments

Donate in a way that suits you

Please donate today to support our work. You can donate online above. Alternatively, donate by phone or post.

Donate by phone

You can make a donation by calling us on 0303 040 4040. Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.

Donate by post

Send a cheque made payable to 'the Canal & River Trust' to:

Canal & River Trust

Bumpers Way

Bumpers Farm

Chippenham

SN14 6NG

Please enclose a note with your name and contact details so we can write to say thank you.

How your donations to Canal & River Trust can make a difference

Our beloved 250-year-old network was once abandoned and fell into disrepair. With your help, we’ve been caring for 2,000 miles of canals and rivers since 2012.

Canals are now used and loved more than ever by boaters, anglers, local communities, and wildlife, and that's thanks to our dedicated team, incredible volunteers, and the generosity of our supporters.

But these waterways and surrounding historical structures are still fragile and vulnerable.

The ongoing challenge of protecting them is ever-growing. A changing climate, rapidly rising costs, and the inexorable tests of time are all taking their toll.

That’s why we urgently need your help.

Your donations enable us to look after these blue and green corridors, provide community engagement projects, protect our heritage and nature, and mitigate threats to canals and rivers.

Donate today

How else can you support us?

Donations are key to help our valuable work, but there are other ways you can get involved and make a difference.

Become a Friend

Our Friends give a small, regular donation every month to support us in our work. It’s quick to sign up and any monthly donation is appreciated

Four charity fun runners celebrating by the canal next to a blue branded flag

Fundraise your way

Tackle a fundraising challenge whether you like to run, cycle, crochet or bake! We can help you make it happen

A flower by the side of the road in Camden. There are lock gates in the background

Dedicate a gift

Celebrate the lives of your loved ones with a dedicated bench, plaque, or something more unique

Boy leans against father sitting next to the canal in the sun

Leave a gift in your Will

Find out how to include a charity gift in your Will and know that your legacy will help support our vibrant waterways for future generations

Swan stretches its neck out as it takes off from the water

Support our appeals

With your help, we can make our canals blue, green and better, and encourage nature back to our towns and cities

Need help?

If you are having difficulties donating, please call our Supporter Care Team on 0303 040 4040.

Donation FAQs

Is the Canal & River Trust a charity?
The Canal & River Trust is a charity set up in 2012 to care for England and Wales' 200-year-old waterways, holding them in trust for the nation forever.
How do I contact Canal & River Trust?
You can contact us via phone (0303 040 4040), live chat, social media, email, or post. Head to our Contact Us page to find out more about the ways to get in touch.
Who looks after canals?
We’re the Canal & River Trust, a charity responsible for maintaining 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales. With your vital support, we’re responsible for the care and maintenance of canals and rivers, together with bridges, tunnels, aqueducts, docks and reservoirs, along with museums and archive collections. Find out more about us.
Who funds the Canal & River Trust?
Our much-loved canal network, which delivers so much benefit to people and for nature, relies on funding from multiple sources: government grants, boating licence and mooring fees, donations and fundraising, investment and property income, utilities and water development, third-party income from charitable activities, and more.
How does Gift Aid work?
Gift Aid is a scheme available for charitable organisations, meaning they can claim an additional 25p from HMRC for every £1 donated by a UK taxpayer. This means that Gift Aid can increase the value of every donation by 25%, so you can give extra to the causes you care about without costing you more.