Every year, Hands Across Canberra brings the community together through the Canberra Day Appeal, a campaign supporting local charities and community organisations making a difference in the lives of Canberrans.

With 89 charities participating in the 2025 appeal, the focus remains on building a culture of giving, ensuring that funds raised stay within the ACT to directly benefit those who need it most.

“It’s a collaborative fundraising effort between Hands Across Canberra, participating charities, and the broader Canberra community,” says Hands Across Canberra CEO Genevieve Jacobs.

“We want this time of year to be a moment when Canberrans come together to give back. The appeal culminates on Canberra Day, March 10, when we celebrate what an amazing and generous place this is to live.”

But while Canberra is known for its prosperity, Ms Jacobs emphasises that many people in the ACT struggle daily.

“There’s a perception that Canberra is a wealthy city, and while that’s true for many, it also means that when someone falls on hard times, they fall a long way,” she explains.

With 40,000 Canberrans living in poverty and many others needing urgent support for disabilities, mental health, and social services, the appeal encourages people to “give where you live.”

Give where you live

A staggering 85% of charity donations made in Canberra leave the ACT, heading to national and global charities. While Ms Jacobs acknowledges that generosity on a national level is important, she urges Canberrans to consider the impact of keeping donations local.

“Imagine if more of that money stayed here—helping people in Scullin, Crace, Charnwood, or wherever it’s needed most,” she says.

“Canberra is an incredibly generous community, and we want to encourage people to think about their neighbours, their colleagues, the families at their children’s school, or the people they see at the shops. When we support each other locally, we create a stronger, more connected city.”

One of the many charities benefiting from the Canberra Day Appeal this year is Rainbow Club, a swim school providing one-on-one lessons for children with disabilities.

For families like Sharon Fahey’s, Rainbow Club has been life changing.

“My daughters Charlotte and Catherine are hearing-impaired, and regular swim schools just didn’t work for them,” she explains.

“They couldn’t wear their hearing aids in the pool, so it was hard for them to understand what was required. We were paying a lot of money, but they weren’t learning anything.”

Ms Fahey pulled her daughters out of mainstream swimming lessons, but it left her feeling anxious about their safety around water.

“We started avoiding swimming pools altogether because they couldn’t swim, and honestly, it scared me,” she says.

Since joining Rainbow Club six months ago, the transformation has been remarkable for the 18-year-old twin sisters.

“They’re much more confident in the water now. I feel so much more at ease knowing they have the skills to stay safe. They can swim properly now, which is amazing.”

A charity making a splash

Rainbow Club Canberra is still relatively new to the ACT, having launched in early 2024, but its impact is already being felt across the community.

“We’re a swim school for kids with disabilities,” explains Lead Teacher Georgia Nolan.

“The program we run, Swim the Rainbow, is designed for children up to the age of 18. It’s completely individualised, with personalised lesson plans tailored to each child’s specific needs.”

Unlike mainstream swim schools, Rainbow Club keeps class sizes small, with some students receiving one-on-one instruction.

“We work closely with any other therapies the kids may have outside of their swimming lessons. We collaborate with their therapy plans and goals to ensure the lessons are tailored for them,” Ms Nolan adds.

This personalised approach has been invaluable for Ms Fahey’s daughters.

“One-on-one teaching is 100% important for them,” she says.

“Since they can’t hear in the pool, they rely on reading lips. Having a private instructor means they can focus completely on the lesson without distractions.”

Beyond swimming skills, Rainbow Club fosters social inclusion, ensuring that children not only learn water safety but also connect with others in a supportive environment.

“We include a social game at the end of every lesson,” Ms Nolan says.

“It allows the students to interact while still benefiting from personalised instruction.”

Ms Nolan says that community support is vital for charities like Rainbow Club and that they are always on the lookout for more volunteers and swim teachers.

“We are a not-for-profit organisation, so we rely on community donations to improve our services and continue offering high-quality programs,” she says.

“The funding we receive from the community allows us to expand and enhance our programs.

“We are always looking for swim teachers. We have a Train to Teach program, where we can help pay for training for new instructors, as long as they work with us for a set period after their certification. It’s an amazing opportunity for anyone looking to become a qualified swim teacher.”

How Canberrans can get involved

The Canberra Day Appeal is a fantastic way to support local charities like Rainbow Club, ensuring they continue to provide essential services to those who need them.

One way to contribute is through the Canberra Day Appeal Fun Run, now in its second year.

“All registration fees from the event go towards funding our grants program,” Ms Jacobs explains.

Through partnerships with Canberra Collaborative Funding, the Snow Foundation, and the John James Foundation, over a million dollars is donated to local charities each year.

“The money raised from the Fun Run will also be used for matching donations for participating charities in the Canberra Day Appeal,” Ms Jacobs adds.

She encourages participants to seek sponsorships for their run, whether it’s 2km, 5km, or 10km, to maximise donations for their chosen charity.

“It’s a great way to support the cause while having fun, enjoying Canberra’s beautiful early autumn weather, and spending time with family and friends.”

For those who prefer to donate directly, all participating charities are listed on the Canberra Day Appeal website.

Building a better Canberra

Jacobs stresses that while larger national charities are well known, many smaller grassroots organisations struggle for visibility.

“These local charities are meeting urgent needs in the community but often don’t have the resources to promote their work or attract funding,” she says.

“That’s why the Canberra Day Appeal is so important—it shines a light on these organisations and connects them with the support they need.”

For families like the Fahey’s, these local charities make an immeasurable difference.

“If Rainbow Club didn’t exist, my girls wouldn’t have learned to swim,” she says.

“It’s actually frightening to think about. I wouldn’t have been comfortable letting them near a pool, because I’d be too worried about their safety.”

By donating to local charities through Hands Across Canberra, Canberrans are ensuring that every cent raised stays in the community, funding services that make a real impact on people’s lives.

“Every cent raised stays local,” Ms Jacobs says.

“It supports Canberrans in need, ensuring that our friends, neighbours and local organisations thrive.”

As Canberra prepares to celebrate its annual day of giving, the call to “Give where you live” has never been more important. Whether through running, donating, or simply spreading the word, every contribution helps to build a more connected community.

To donate, register for the Canberra Day Appeal Fun Run, or learn more, visit canberraday.org.au To volunteer or learn more about Rainbow Club, visit myrainbowclub.org.au.