Not A Phase, a charity committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans people across the UK, has reported being “saved” following an emergency fundraising drive supported by Nicola Coughlan. The Irish actor and vocal LGBTQ+ ally helped raise as much as €150,000 for the organisation, donating €11,664 of her own money.

Nicola Coughlan’s charity fundraiser came after the UK Supreme Court issued a ruling stating that the legal definition of ‘woman’ under the Equality Act 2010 does not include trans women. It also followed a statement released by the charity earlier in April, in which it confirmed it had lost almost all corporate partners amid an international crackdown on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives sparked by the Trump administration in the US. As Not A Phase prepares to mark its fifth birthday, the financial struggles left its vital services “at risk of being paused – or, in some cases, discontinued”.

“If there are any opportunities – big or small – to support our work, please do consider us,” the group wrote at the time. “We want nothing more than to keep everything running for those who need us most.”

In the two weeks since, Not A Phase has been met with an outpouring of support, saying it “has been a lifeline” for the team and their 4,000 service users. Addressing Coughlan’s fundraiser in a separate post, it thanked the star “for prioritising our community during this time”.

 

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Speaking to Third Sector, the organisation’s Chief Executive Danielle St James said, “This moment of visibility, of financial support, has genuinely saved us.” She added that the team was “still in shock” over the fundraiser’s success, also recognising the Bridgerton actor’s impact. “Nicola has been an incredible supporter of ours for a long time, and what she’s done here is a shining example of active, meaningful advocacy,” St James expressed.