The recession may be taking its toll on the third sector but the Acts 435 charity says it has seen an increase in donations.

The Christian charity supports individuals and families struggling financially in the UK.

It is reporting an "unprecedented growth" in the level of donations following an appearance on BBC's Songs of Praise.

The programme told viewers that even small donations could make a big difference in the lives of others.

The coverage triggered a 10-fold increase in donor giving to the charity, with Acts 435 reporting that 27% of new donors responding to the show had given donations of between £5 and £10.

Now the charity is getting the message out that people don't have to be rich to give.

Margaret Sentamu, Chair of Trustees for Acts 435, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the response following our appearance on Songs of Praise. In these tough economic times, donors to charity want to make sure their money really counts. With Acts 435 we do just that.

“You don’t have to be Bill Gates to be able to help someone else. If you are asked for a modest amount to tackle genuine need, you often feel more motivated to get involved."

Acts 435 gives instant feedback on how donations are used, connecting those in need with those who want to make a difference. Donors also receive personalised thank you messages from those they help so that they can see that giving really works.

Mrs Sentamu added: "If you know it’s going to make a big difference at the other end, it seems more achievable, more real. We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to donate.”

Jenny Herrera, Director of Acts 435, said: “£5 or £10 may not seem like a lot of money, but for some people that amount can be life-changing. Little by little we can make the world a better place – all we have to do is put our compassion into action. Acts 435 helps change the world one life at a time – it really works.”