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The charity making life better by water

Several colleagues in waterproof protective gear and hard hats stand in the bottom of a lock, sifting through the water.

Will you help us weather the storm?

This winter, our ageing and fragile canals face a perfect storm of extreme weather, rising repair costs and shrinking government support.

We need to raise more money to fund our response to inevitable storm damage. With your help, we can better prepare for our reactive response in an emergency.

No other organisation can protect canals like we can. We’re the only charity with the specialist craft, boats and machinery. We’ve got the tools, now we just need your support to help fund our response crews.

Please donate today to help our canal and river network hold strong this winter.

Two men in high-vis repair a fence along path, surrounded by construction equipment and a digger. Repairing the after effects of a storm at Earlswood Lakes.

Canals face a perfect storm this winter

Keeping canals open and safe requires millions of pounds and year-round efforts from skilled workers and volunteers.

But the rising threat of more frequent, severe storms, flooding and landslides is causing a perfect storm of unprecedented damage. Last winter alone, eight storms in three months cost us an additional £10 million in emergency repairs to re-open canal navigations and towpaths.

Easenhall Cutting work in progress We spent £2 million at Easenhall Cutting after a landslide of 4,000 tonnes of mud blocked the canal.

Help us react, repair and restore our canals

Canals are more than just water. They’re home to wildlife, a link to our shared history and a space where communities come together.

But all of this is at risk.

Storms and flooding can destroy the towpaths we walk, the places we fish and the waters we boat along. They can pollute and damage the habitats of the wildlife we treasure.

We’re still recovering from last winter’s damage, and more storms are coming. That’s why we urgently need your support.

Help our canal and river network hold strong this winter. With your donation, our specialist teams can respond to severe weather damage and keep our canals safe and accessible for all.

Canal water breaches the bank, gushing over the muddy towpath and causing a mudslip. Canal breach at Beeston.

We are partnered with Woods Valldata to securely process and manage your donations, ensuring a smooth experience for our supporters. As part of this campaign, donations can be made through Woods Valldata on 0330 002 1844.

Last Edited: 04 December 2024

photo of a location on the canals
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