The Sun Celebrates 50th Birthday With Major Campaign Launch

The Sun has launched a major campaign for its 50th birthday, inviting readers to nominate the charities that mean the most to them, for the chance to share in a £1 million year-long Reader Fund giveaway.

Tony Gallagher, The Sun editor-in-chief, said: “Our strength has always been our ability to mobilise our army of millions of readers to get behind the campaigns that are important to them. They have been enormously generous over the years, from knitting blankets to donating their hard-earned cash. By our best estimate, our readers have raised around £100 million supporting our good causes.

“On our 50th Birthday, we are proud to be launching a £1 million Reader Fund, inviting them to nominate the charities closest to their heart to receive donations across the coming year. It’s our way of saying, ‘Thanks a million.’”

Nominations will be welcomed from readers across the UK, with particular focus on six charitable areas: Children and Young People, Health and Wellbeing, Veterans, Emergency Heroes, International Aid and Animals and The Environment.

Nominations will be longlisted by The Sun’s editorial team, before approaches are made to the charities to apply for funds for a specific project which could earn them a grant of anything between £2,000 and £20,000.

Rebekah Brooks, News UK chief executive, said: “For 50 years The Sun has been at the heart of the nation’s conversation. As the people’s paper, it has never relented in campaigning against injustices, holding the powerful to account and giving a voice to the voiceless. Always with some fun and wit along the way. I’m excited that The Sun celebrates its 50th birthday as it began, celebrating ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”