What’s the Ranking?
- Liverpool has been named the UK’s most generous city for the second year running, topping the 2025 list of British places ranked by generosity. (Express & Star)
- The ranking is based on data from crowdfunding platform GoFundMe, measuring the number of donors relative to the local population — i.e., cities with the highest proportion of people giving to campaigns are placed highest. (Express & Star)
Stories Behind the Generosity
Sienna-Rose Millen Appeal
- A major fundraiser in Liverpool was for toddler Sienna-Rose Millen, whose family needed more than £100,000 for a private medical flight after she collapsed while on holiday in Mexico.
- This campaign was one of the largest individual fundraisers in the UK this year. (Express & Star)
Churchtown Primary School Playground
- More than £370,000 was raised by people in Merseyside for a new playground at Churchtown Primary School.
- This campaign was launched in memory of pupils Alice da Silva Aguiar (9), Bebe King (6) and Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), who tragically lost their lives in a knife attack in Southport in July 2024.
- That fundraiser was among the top-performing campaigns nationwide in 2025. (Express & Star)
2025 UK Generosity League Table (Top Cities)
According to GoFundMe’s reporting:
- Liverpool
- Glasgow
- London
- Cardiff
- Bristol
- Norwich
- Manchester
- Belfast
- Edinburgh
- Wrexham (first-time entrant this year) (Express & Star)
So while the list is relative to population, cities in all parts of the UK continue to show strong engagement in community support. (Express & Star)
Why Liverpool? A Closer Look
Community Spirit
- Fundraisers like the Southport memorial and large-scale campaigns such as for Sienna-Rose reflect deep local engagement with causes that touch people’s lives. (Express & Star)
High Participation
- Generosity in this context isn’t measured by total £ raised alone — it’s about how many residents donate relative to the size of the population, meaning widespread community participation matters more than a few big donors. (Express & Star)
Recognition from GoFundMe
- GoFundMe’s chief executive, Tim Cadogan, highlighted the strong community response across the UK and said Liverpool’s position “is a testament to the generosity of its community.” (Express & Star)
Context & Broader Data on Giving
While this GoFundMe ranking is based on donor numbers relative to population, other research shows giving patterns can vary widely by income, local culture, and capacity to give:
- UK reports suggest that more affluent or higher-income areas often donate larger absolute amounts, but some less affluent places like Liverpool tend to have higher donation rates relative to local incomes and involvement. (cafonline.org)
- Nationally, the UK is among the most generous countries in the world, with strong engagement in both small and large fundraising efforts. (thirdsector.co.uk)
Reactions & Commentary
Local and National Response
- Many in Liverpool and beyond see the ranking as a point of civic pride — demonstrating that generosity isn’t just about wealth but about community solidarity.
- Some commentators note that events like memorial campaigns after tragedies often galvanise widespread support and can drive citywide engagement.
Social Media Sentiment
- On community forums like Reddit, users from Liverpool frequently express pride in the city’s charitable culture, while others point out areas to improve (such as more support for local charities or visible outreach efforts). (reddit.com)
Seasonal Give-Back
- Rankings often come out in December, at a time when people generally give more — so seasonal generosity spikes also help boost participation. (standard.co.uk)
Takeaway
Liverpool’s top ranking as the UK’s most generous city in 2025 reflects widespread community participation in fundraising, especially around high-profile and deeply personal causes. While the methodology emphasises donor numbers per capita, it highlights something larger: people coming together to support neighbours, families, schools, and life-changing causes across the city. (Express & Star)
Below are real-world case studies and informed commentary explaining why Liverpool has been ranked the UK’s most generous city, and what that generosity looks like in practice.
Case Studies: How Liverpool’s Generosity Shows Up in Real Life
Case Study 1: Community-Led Medical Emergency Fundraisers
Liverpool residents have repeatedly rallied around families facing urgent medical crises, often raising six-figure sums in days.
What stands out
- High participation: thousands of small donations rather than a few large ones
- Strong amplification through local networks, football communities, and social media
- Donations coming from across income levels
Impact
- Families receive life-saving support quickly
- Campaigns outperform national averages for donor-to-population ratio
Why it matters
This behaviour directly aligns with how generosity is measured — how many people give, not how wealthy they are.
Case Study 2: School & Youth Projects Backed by the City
Fundraisers for playgrounds, school facilities, and youth initiatives in Merseyside have drawn city-wide and regional backing, particularly following tragic or emotional events.
What happened
- Campaigns launched by schools or parent groups
- Donations came from people with no direct connection to the school
- Fundraisers often exceeded targets by large margins
Impact
- Long-term community assets funded without government grants
- Strong sense of shared responsibility for children and education
Why it matters
Liverpool’s generosity is collective, not transactional — people give because it’s “what you do”.
Case Study 3: Grassroots Support During Economic Hardship
Despite facing higher-than-average economic challenges, Liverpool consistently shows high levels of charitable participation.
Examples
- Support for food banks and winter hardship funds
- Emergency housing and utility support campaigns
- Mutual aid groups formed during crises that remain active
Impact
- Strong resilience during cost-of-living pressures
- High donation frequency even when individual amounts are small
Why it matters
This challenges the idea that generosity is linked only to wealth — Liverpool demonstrates generosity of participation, not surplus income.
Comments & Expert Perspectives
Community Leaders
Local organisers often describe Liverpool as a city where:
“If someone’s struggling, the city notices — and responds.”
Community trust plays a key role: people believe donations will reach those in need, increasing willingness to give.
Charity & Fundraising Experts
Fundraising specialists note three defining traits:
- High emotional engagement with local causes
- Rapid mobilisation after events or crises
- Strong peer influence — once a campaign gains traction, others follow
These traits help explain why Liverpool tops per-capita generosity rankings.
Sociologists & Cultural Commentators
Commentators link Liverpool’s giving culture to:
- A strong working-class identity
- Historic solidarity during hardship
- Football-driven community cohesion
- Deep local pride and shared identity
This creates a culture where helping others is socially reinforced, not exceptional.
Critical Commentary
Some observers caution that:
- Reliance on crowdfunding can reflect gaps in public services
- High generosity shouldn’t excuse systemic underfunding
However, even critics acknowledge Liverpool’s giving culture as genuine and sustained, not performative.
Why Liverpool Keeps Ranking First
Liverpool’s top ranking is not about headline-grabbing donations — it’s about volume, consistency, and participation.
Key reasons
- More people give
- More often
- To causes close to home
- Even when times are tough
Bottom Line
Liverpool’s recognition as the UK’s most generous city reflects a deep-rooted culture of mutual support. It shows that generosity is not measured by wealth alone, but by how willing people are to step in when others need help.