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The world is a long way from being perfect, as long as mankind has lived on the planet, they've been assisting each other and have helped those in need. Many people have felt the need to create a fair and equal world, at times behaving as friends to those they don't even know, offering kindness just because they care.

Around 1601, three specific categories of charitable activities were identified. These were relief of poverty, improvement of education and the advancement of religion. However over the past few decades the scope of activities recognized as charitable has been expanding and now has been legally defined in different charitable categories and takes a distinctive legal form, which also has a special tax status.

Many of the best-known charities were set up by people who felt passionate about a situation that they believed was wrong or preventable. In the UK today there are probably over 500,000 voluntary organizations - fewer than 200,000 of these are registered charities.

A Charity is a not-for-profit organization, which helps one group of people to support another. Undertaking activities that contribute to protect the environment, animal welfare, poverty, health and to benefit the communities or societies as whole.

The people behind them felt strongly about an issue and did something about it. Sometimes it takes more than one person to make a difference. No matter what age you are, you can help shape the world the way you want by helping a charity.

Work force

The work of charities is undertaken by both volunteer and paid staff. Many of the larger charities use a combination of volunteer and paid workers. However, the vast majority of charities are run solely by volunteers.

As people feel strongly and want to make a difference, sometimes they think of GIVING as just giving spare change, but often people give a lot more. People give their time, money and skills to make a difference, as they feel good about life and being happy about being able to give something back.

Trustees are a special form of volunteer - it is these people who are legally responsible for the work of the charity. Other volunteers contribute to the work of charities by directly helping people and by fundraising, campaigning, and undertaking administration.