Causes That
Matter
We all have something to give.
Over the years, through nearly two decades of conversations with people in taxis, one thing has stayed with me.
Many people want to give something back. They want to help others, make a difference, or contribute to something bigger than themselves.
But what matters to one person may be entirely different from what matters to another.
For some, it's protecting animals. For others, it's supporting young people, helping people experiencing hardship, advancing medical research, protecting our environment, or standing alongside people who have been forgotten or overlooked.
There are countless causes in the world, and none of us can support them all.
But perhaps we don't need to.
Perhaps what matters is finding something that resonates with us personally and contributing in whatever way we can.
That contribution doesn't have to be financial. It could mean volunteering your time, sharing knowledge, raising awareness, offering practical help, or simply making a connection that helps someone else.
We all have different circumstances, experiences, skills and resources. What we can give will differ, too.
The important thing isn't how much someone gives. It's recognising that we can all play a part in making the world a little better.
Find a cause that resonates with you
At Get Out Rat Race, we talk about purpose, personal growth and becoming who you were born to be.
For me, that also means recognising that life isn't just about what we achieve for ourselves. It's also about what we contribute to the lives of others and the world we share.
Below are three charities whose work resonates with me personally. Each supports a different cause, helping to demonstrate that there are many ways to make a meaningful difference.
They aren't presented as more important than the thousands of other worthy causes out there. They're simply a starting point.
You may connect with one of them, discover another organisation, or feel inspired to support a cause much closer to home.
Whatever it is, I encourage you to explore it.
Direct Impact Empowerment Foundation
Helping people move from crisis towards independence.
Direct Impact Empowerment Foundation works with vulnerable communities in Nigeria, supporting people through hardship and helping them build more independent lives.
Its approach focuses on dignity, practical assistance and empowerment, helping people move beyond immediate crises towards greater stability and self-sufficiency.
What resonates with me is the idea that helping someone isn't simply about providing short-term relief. It's also about giving people the opportunity and means to rebuild their lives on their own terms.
Sometimes, the right support at the right time can help someone move from surviving to building a more secure future.
Explore the charity or make a donation:
https://www.directimpactempowerment.org/donate
Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation
Advancing cancer research and reducing human suffering.
The Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation supports research into new approaches to cancer treatment, with a mission to make cancer care more accessible, affordable and effective.
Founded by Dr Hadiyah-Nicole Green in memory of her aunt, Ora Lee Smith, the foundation is driven by the hope that advances in cancer treatment can reduce suffering and offer better options to people facing the disease.
Medical research reminds us that progress often depends on people being willing to invest in possibilities that could improve or save lives in the future.
For those who have experienced cancer personally, supported a loved one through treatment, or simply want to contribute to medical progress, this is one cause worth exploring.
Learn more about the foundation and its work:
https://oralee.org/
Ronald McDonald House UK
Helping families stay close when their child needs hospital care.
When a child becomes seriously ill, a family's world can change overnight. Treatment may take place far from home, leaving parents and carers facing long journeys, unexpected expenses and the emotional strain of being separated from their usual support networks.
Ronald McDonald House UK helps families stay close to their children by providing free accommodation near children's hospitals, alongside welcoming spaces where families can rest and support one another.
Its work recognises something fundamental: when a child is unwell, supporting the family matters, too.
Having somewhere nearby to sleep, prepare a meal and take a breath can make an incredibly difficult period a little more manageable.
Find out more or discover ways to help:
https://ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.uk/You don't have to do everything. Just find something you can do.
These three charities work in different areas, supporting different people and addressing different challenges.
That's precisely the point.
There isn't one universal cause that everyone must support. We each have our own experiences, values and reasons for caring about particular issues.
You might feel strongly about homelessness. Someone else might dedicate their time to animal welfare. Another person might support a local food bank, mentor a young person, or help an elderly neighbour.
None of these contributions needs to look the same.
And you don't have to wait until you have more money, more time or fewer responsibilities to start thinking about what you might be able to offer.
You could begin by asking yourself three simple questions:
What matters to me? Think about the people, problems or issues that genuinely move you.
What can I contribute? Consider your time, skills, experience, resources or ability to raise awareness.
Where could my contribution make a difference? Look for an organisation, community initiative or practical opportunity that aligns with your values.
You may discover a national charity you want to support. You may find a small organisation in your own community. Or you may realise that the most meaningful thing you can do is help someone directly.
There is no single right answer.
What if you have an idea of your own?
Perhaps you don't just want to support an existing cause. Perhaps you've identified a problem in your community, have an idea for helping others, or want to bring people together around something that matters.
You don't necessarily need a large budget or an established organisation to begin exploring what's possible.
From volunteering and community projects to partnerships and Community Interest Companies (CICs), there are different ways to turn an idea into something that benefits others.
Have an idea you'd like to explore?
Discover the options for creating your own community initiative and taking the first steps towards making a difference.
A final thought
We often measure success by what we earn, what we own, what we accomplish or how far we progress in life.
Those things can matter. But perhaps we should also leave room for another question:
What positive difference can I make with what I have?
Not everyone can change the world on a grand scale. But we can each look for opportunities to improve something, help someone, or contribute to a cause we believe in.
Sometimes that contribution will be financial. Sometimes it will be practical. Sometimes it will simply be showing up when someone needs us.
We cannot all do everything, but we can each do something.
And when enough people choose to contribute in their own way, those individual actions can become part of something much bigger.
Find what matters to you. Give what you can. Help make a difference.
Become who you were born to be.