UCKG Fundraising:
Where Does the Money Go?
Behind the Christmas carols, collection buckets and viral videos, there are questions worth asking.
Every Christmas, members of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) take to streets across the UK, singing, dancing and collecting donations from the public.
You've probably seen them. You may even have watched their performances on TikTok, where videos of smiling fundraisers attract praise from people who believe they're watching a wonderful charity initiative.
But there is another side to these collections that deserves attention.
At Surviving Universal UK (SUUK), we're asking questions about the treatment of people taking part, the pressure they may face and how money collected from the public is used.
We're asking the public to look beyond the smiles and help us build a clearer picture.
Where Does the Money Go?
The UCKG is a registered charity and publishes annual financial accounts.
However, those accounts do not necessarily explain how much was raised at a particular street collection, what donors were told or how the money from that collection was allocated.
When someone is asked to donate to support young people, food banks or community projects, they should be able to ask reasonable questions about how their donation will be used.
We want to know what fundraisers are told, how collections are managed, how money is recorded and what information is available to the public.
These are questions about accountability.
What Do the Official Records Show?
The UCKG is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under charity number 1043985.
Its published accounts provide information about the charity's overall income and expenditure. The records show that they make around £14 Million each year in the UK.
In February 2026, the Fundraising Regulator also published findings concerning the UCKG's treatment of a donor in vulnerable circumstances and weaknesses in its fundraising safeguards.
Nevertheless, it demonstrates why fundraising standards and safeguards deserve public attention.
How You Can Help
You don't have to be a former UCKG member to help make a difference.
Whether you've seen a collection in your local shopping centre, have concerns about fundraising practices or simply want clearer information, there are practical steps you can take.
Make a Formal Complaint
Concerned about UCKG fundraising or how the charity operates? You can report your concerns directly to the relevant regulator.
Fundraising Regulator
Report concerns about how donations are requested, misleading fundraising claims, pressure on donors or the conduct of fundraising activities.
The regulator normally asks you to raise your complaint with the charity first, unless there are exceptional circumstances or a risk of significant public harm.
Charity Commission
Raise serious concerns about how a charity is run, including safeguarding failures, financial misconduct, misuse of charitable funds or risks of harm.
The Commission assesses concerns according to their seriousness and the evidence available.
Please provide accurate information based on your own experiences or evidence. You can also share your concerns privately with Surviving Universal UK.
Report Fundraising to SUUK
Have you seen UCKG members collecting donations?
Tell us where, when and what you observed.
You can also share photographs, videos or information about what members of the public were told.
You don't need to have witnessed anything concerning. Even a simple sighting helps us understand where fundraising is taking place.
You can submit information anonymously.
Raise Your Concerns With the Store or Shopping Centre
If you see UCKG fundraising inside or on the grounds of a supermarket, shopping centre or other business, you can ask to speak to a manager.
Calmly explain your concerns about safeguarding, fundraising practices or the information available to donors.
You can ask whether the organisation has permission to collect there and whether the business has reviewed relevant public information before agreeing to host the collection.
If you prefer, contact the company's customer service team or head office instead.
You can refer them to published investigations, official regulatory findings or other reliable sources.
You do not need to confront the fundraisers themselves.
If you would rather not approach the business, submit the details to SUUK and we can assess whether to raise the matter directly.
Contact Your Local MP
Your MP represents you in Parliament and can raise concerns about issues affecting your community.
You can write to your MP about fundraising safeguards, the treatment of young volunteers and whether organisations collecting donations in public places are subject to appropriate oversight.
You can also ask your MP to raise relevant concerns with the local council or other responsible bodies.
Find your MP using your postcode on the UK Parliament website.
Not sure what to say?
We've prepared a short email template you can copy, personalise and send.
You are welcome to write your own message instead. Please only include concerns you genuinely hold and experiences you can accurately describe.
Contact Your Local Council
Depending on where and how a collection takes place, the organiser may need permission from the local authority, the venue owner or another responsible body.
If you have concerns about a street collection, contact your council's licensing team and ask whether the activity requires permission and what safeguarding or fundraising conditions apply.
You can ask the council to review any relevant concerns when considering future permissions.
Share This Campaign
Every Christmas, videos of UCKG fundraisers circulate online, often attracting praise from people who may know little about the experiences of former members.
Help us bring another perspective into that conversation.
Share this page, encourage people to read the official information and let current or former fundraisers know they can speak to SUUK privately.
You can raise awareness without attacking, identifying or humiliating the people taking part.
The more people who know where to report concerns, the easier it becomes to ask meaningful questions about these collections.
Please Do Not Confront UCKG Fundraisers
Do not harass, intimidate, ridicule or confront the people holding collection buckets.
Many fundraisers are young people. Some may be participating under pressure, and others may sincerely believe they are doing something positive.
They should not become targets of public anger or online abuse.
Do not block collections, interfere with donation buckets, follow fundraisers or publish footage intended to shame individuals.
If you have concerns, raise them with the organisation responsible for the venue, the relevant authority or SUUK.
Our focus is on the people and systems responsible for organising and overseeing these collections, not on punishing the individuals taking part.
Have You Taken Part in UCKG Fundraising?
If you are a current or former UCKG member, we would like to hear from you.
Were you expected to take part? Did you feel free to refuse? Were you asked to sing or dance? What were you told about the money being raised?
You can remain anonymous.
Accountability Is Not Persecution®
This campaign is not about opposing religious belief or discouraging legitimate charitable work.
It is about ensuring that fundraising is responsible, donors have access to clear information and the people taking part are treated with dignity.
