Labour MP Adam Thompson topped GoFundMe’s list this year for MP generosity. (Alamy)
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Analysis by GoFundMe found 2025 to be the most generous year yet for MPs using the website to raise money for charitable causes.
According to data shared with PoliticsHome, the platform’s top MP fundraiser this year was Labour’s Adam Thompson, who walked the length of his Erewash constituency to raise money for bleed-control kits in the town of Ilkeston. His charity walk raised £3,500.
Thompson told PoliticsHome that he wanted to help his community be better equipped to respond to life-threatening situations after “some very sad events” in recent years.
“There has been a national problem with knife crime increasing over recent years, and this really affected my community, really, very heavily affected my community. There was a lot of outcry when these things happened, and a lot of calling on me as the local MP to do something about it, and on other local politicians to do something about it.
“I responded by saying: ‘Here are the things that we’re doing nationally, here’s all the increases in funding for policing, etc’.
“But I thought to myself: ‘Is there anything I can do locally, directly to support the community?'”
The Labour MP said he was “very proud” of the campaign and hoped that other parliamentarians would use crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe to help local causes.
Next was Lloyd Hatton, the Labour MP for South Dorset, who raised over £2,000 running the London Marathon for The Veterans Hub, a charity supporting ex-military personnel and their families.
“Based in Weymouth, the Hub supports a large and proud veterans community, and many veterans depend on the Hub for care, expert advice and support,” he said.
“Having worked closely with the team, I have seen first-hand the invaluable, round-the-clock care they provide to veterans and their loved ones. I will continue to do everything I can to support this fantastic local charity.”
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Conservative MP for Solihull West & Shirley, raised hundreds to equip public spaces with defibrillators and bleed kits.
“There’s no job description for being an MP, and we all do it differently. Fundraising is one way of advocating on behalf of an issue in your constituency and supporting it,” Shastri-Hurst told PoliticsHome.
“I’ve certainly found it has been a really positive thing to a) raise awareness; but b) ensure that we’re providing a service, or equipment, in our case, to the constituency which has a long-term benefit.”
Elsewhere, Sarah Hall, Labour MP for Warrington South, launched a flood-relief appeal in the wake of January’s severe storms, raising £1,320, while Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, David Burton-Sampson, also raised money for community bleed-control kits by walking a 17-mile lap of his constituency.
In South Yorkshire, Labour MPs Lee Pitcher and Sally Jameson ran their local 10k to raise funds for Doncaster Housing for Young People, raising over £2,000 between them.
GoFundMe also gave an honourable mention to Conservative peer, Lord Howard Leigh, who raised over £43,000 for WaterAid through his annual fundraiser. Donors included shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, former chancellor Jeremy Hunt, and Lord Zac Goldsmith.
A GoFundMe spokesman told PoliticsHome: “MPs are demonstrating their dedication to public service by helping people when they need it most. Whether running fundraisers or supporting local campaigns, parliamentarians are showing that helping others is central to their role.”
