Charity: the heart of ducfs
Having raised over £1 million since 2020, charity is at the heart of DUCFS.
We aim to embrace a vast spectrum of causes, funding carefully chosen initiatives each year which have led to tangible change in the North East.
Each year, DUCFS aims to fundraise for our charity partner and our sister creative outreach platform Launchpad.
In 2026, we raised £206K for Marie Curie and £34K for Launchpad.
To see more about previous years, please visit the our history page.
Photography by Dandya Chen, DUCFS 2026.
Our 2027 Charity partner
This year, DUCFS 2027 is proud to partner with Crisis UK, the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. Our support will go to the education and learning programme at Crisis Skylight Newcastle, which helps people experiencing homelessness build the skills and confidence they need to live independently.
Our funding will cover a year of running costs for four key roles: a Lead Worker, Life Skills and Employability Coaches, and a Volunteer and Involvement Lead. These roles let Crisis offer support across housing, budgeting, life skills, creative arts, employability and volunteering.
We will also continue to support DUCFS Launchpad, our creative outreach platform, which aims to address the needs of the North East by providing funding and volunteer support to local projects. Through the Launchpad Ignition Grant, students can apply for seed funding to set up their own initiatives. With a focus on local communities, arts, and music, Launchpad supports projects such as the Launchpad DJ School, RT Projects, and many others.
Durham Companion Service
The North East Clinical Educator
in 2026, DUCFS partnered with Marie cURIE TO RAISE MONEY TO FUND TWO INITIATIVES: The durham companions service, and marie curie’s north east clinical educator.
The service offers free emotional and practical support to anyone over 18 affected by terminal illness. This support comes in various ways such as shopping for food, helping around the house, or providing transport to appointments. Our Companions also support people’s emotional wellbeing, helping them to engage in activities which bring them joy, listening to how they’re feeling without judgment, and combating isolation by offering companionship.
They are responsible for developing and facilitating the training programme for the healthcare staff working in Marie Curie North East, helping Marie Curie to deliver more expert care to more people. They train, induct, and up-skill staff to mentor and develop Marie Curie’s staff to meet national standards and innovate to truly provide the best possible palliative care experience for individuals facing one of the toughest moments in their lives.
“From the beginning of the partnership, the DUCFS team showed great drive and creativity, throwing themselves into the cause with enthusiasm that exceeded expectations … their drive and passion are an inspiration for us all”
Marie Curie, 2026
Photography by Dandya Chen, DUCFS 2026.