Angels Den 2026: a ceremony summary

Last night the Clare Foundation's Angels shared £120,000 among 14 Bucks charities, with a brand new audience fund also given to one lucky charity.

In its fourth annual Angels Den event, held at the Elgiva Theatre in Chesham, the Clare Foundation's angels heard 10 pitches before deciding how to divide £120,000 pounds among 14 charities last night, with the audience given the power to allocate an additional £10,000 fund to one lucky charity for the first time. 

This years angels, whose generous £10,000 donations are matched by the Clare Foundation, were: 

• Mike Clare, Founder and President of The Clare Foundation
• Matt Storey, Storey Property Developments Ltd and M&M supplies UK PLC
• Sarah Leslie, founding director of ndapt
• Vincent O’Hanlon, CEO of VitrX
• Chris Goodman, co-founder of Focus Group and Focus Foundation
• and standing in for George Anson DL - The Anson Trust, a Trustee of several Buckinghamshire charities, and former High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire (2021-22) - Tracey Byard

Bucks Radio's very own Nathan Cooper was the night's host, with the angels from left to right as follows: Chris, Sarah, Mike, Matt, Tracey and Vince

Before they even reached the stage to bravely pitch to the angels why they needed funds and for what, the 10 lucky finalists has already been selected from 72 applicants this year. Luckily for them, whilst they competed for different shares of the grant pot, everyone was already a winner as all the finalists walk away with money for their charities. 

How much was given to who though, is as follows:

Largest overall amount of £25,000 goes to Kindess Bucks 

The charity, which give families in need baby baskets filled with essential goods, where the recipients of this years £10,000 audience-voted fund, meaning with £15,000 also allocated by the Angels they walked away with a huge £25,000 total. 

In their pitch, Amanda Armitage and Louise Donnelley (pictured below) said they've already reached 300 families in the last year and that with the grant they'd be able to reach another 400 to 500 families next year. They also explained that their work goes beyond just supplies, with their coffee mornings and volunteer visits giving struggling new parents the connection they need. 

Talking about what their win means, Louise said: "We were delighted with £15,000 and the fact we've now got £25,000 means we can get Amanda on nearly full time and we can reach so many more families through the baby baskets, through our wellness walks, through everything we can reach so many more people next year than we did this."

Amanda added: "everything I do in the community comes from the heart, and it takes a community to build a community, so thank you."

Another big payout of £20,000 went to The PACE Centre and Marlow Opportunity Playgroup  

Lucy Sharpe and Rachel Pearce (pictured below) explained in their pitch that funds would allow PACE to provide Occupational Therapy assessments for 13 children in MOP, who provide specialist pre-school support for children with special needs and disabilities, as well as training their staff and sensory equipment for children. 

They asked initially for £9,100, but when asked what more money could do, they said they could look into home visits, physio support and ways to ensure the opportunities children are given at MOP extend into the home. 

£18,000 was awarded to One Can Trust and Wycombe Homeless Connection 

Sonya Batchelor and James Boultbee told the angels that despite being bigger charities, they still rely on the charity of others to ensure their vital work can continue. They were pitching for £20,000 to partially fund a financial advisory network for the people serve.

James said Wycombe Homeless Connection had prevented 50 households from becoming homeless last year, saving the economy £1.5 million in the process. Sonya then shared that One Can Trust, who support people facing financial hardship, food insecurity or crisis, give around 400 families food parcels every week. 

I'd Like to Borrow/I'd Like a Bike were awarded £13,000

The charity, set up by Ashley Waite, refurbish bikes to give away for free or for small fees to make transport more accessible in North Buckinghamshire. 

In his pitch, Ashley explained that they funds would be used for a delivery and collection service, which would help them better accommodate all those across the county calling in for transport support. 

£12,000 went to Red Balloon Aylesbury and Chiltern Music Therapy

Starting her pitch with a song, Jane Cole of Red Balloon Aylesbury - which offers young people with mental health challenges education and mentoring - told the angels how vital their services are for getting children out of their bedrooms and into an educational environment. Her and Roxie Axxon of CMT were asking for money to fund a full time music therapist.

The Chiltern Rangers were awarded £10,000

The charity, which works with communities to provide practical habitat management in the Chilterns, were asking for funds which would go towards the new nature reserve they're working on over the next 5 years in Misbourne Valley. 

James Shaw told the angels they'd also like to invite the charities present at the event for a free team day.

Chiltern Open Air Museum were given £9,000

Jacqui Gellman and Martin Curtis (pictured below, with one of the museum's huge onions!) told the angels how the museum, which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year, would like to use the funds to support event more free walks across their 40+ acres for isolated and disabled people.

£9,000 went to Enrych Bucks

The charity were asking for £10,000 to fund the partnerships they create between volunteers and those with a physical or sensory disability to help them participate in leisure and learning activities. Linda Grantham and Liam Strong said they'd both seen the impact the partnerships can have in transforming the mental health of their users. 

£7,000 went to The MoneyHeave Community Project and Space Aylesbury

Roundish Myers and Sarah Roberts were awarded the money to help fund a 12-week financial advisory programme for the people Space supports, helping those facing financial stress. 

£7,000 went to Sports Aid Eastern

Retired Olympian Derek Redmond and current Paralympian Nina Sparks were asking for funds which would go towards the mental and physical wellbeing of the athletes they support.