A huge £52,000 raised through Mermaids’ urgent appeal to continue supporting trans youth to grow and thrive

Mermaids, the charity supporting trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families, has thanked its supporters after a huge £52,000 was raised through its urgent appeal to help support trans youth to grow and thrive.

Writing on social media, the charity said: “We did it. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we raised a huge £52,000 through our urgent appeal. 1,457 mer-mazing people stepped up for Mermaids, and for trans youth, when we needed them most.

“It is thanks to our incredible supporters that we are still here. It is thanks to you that we can continue supporting trans youth to grow and thrive during this difficult time.”

On Friday, 2 December, 2022, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Mermaids, after identifying concerns about its governance and management, while also noting that the opening of an inquiry is not a finding of wrongdoing.

Mermaids continued: “We are sorry to say that we aren’t out of the woods yet. Thanks to the incredible generosity, resilience and support of our community, we’ve weathered more storms than most organisations, and we hoped this appeal would raise enough to see us through.

“But this seemingly endless inquiry means our future as an organisation is more uncertain than ever.

“Please know that we’re doing everything we can to ensure we can continue to be there for those who need us most, while continuing to cooperate fully with the Commission to enable them to complete their work as quickly as possible.”We are so grateful to you for standing with us at this critical time. That so many of you have stepped up and chipped in gives us so much hope that there are better days ahead.

“On behalf of our staff, volunteers, and all those who count on Mermaids – thank you.

“Together, we will get through this.”