Society for the Relief of Distress
Analysis
Society for the Relief of Distress is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 1962, 64 years ago. Its declared purposes cover the advancement of health or saving of lives, disability and the prevention or relief of poverty, which this site groups under health and saving lives. It says it makes grants to individuals.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Society for the Relief of Distress reported income of £56k and spending of £58k, spending 104% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £38k to £56k (+47%), an average of +10% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 25%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Society for the Relief of Distress sits at the 54th percentile: it is larger than about 54% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 62nd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Sport-Ed (£56k), North East Wales Search and Rescue Team (£56k) and Karibu African Support Group (£56k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
Applicants must live in the inner London boroughs and must make their application through the social services, a charity, an organisation or similar body.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Sport-Ed | Slough | £56k |
| North East Wales Search and Rescue Team | Clwyd | £56k |
| Karibu African Support Group | Suffolk | £56k |
| Global Horizons Trust | Rugby | £56k |