Launches today
Big Give’s Christmas Challenge, the UK’s largest public fundraiser, launches today with a target of beating last year’s record total of £44.7 million.
The week-long campaign, running from midday on 2 December to midday on 9 December, will support a record 1,589 charities. Every public donation made through the campaign will be doubled, thanks to £25.6 million in match funds provided by Big Give’s generous “Champions” and participating charities’ pledgers.
Indicating the growing power of match funding, this year’s campaign generated a record number of applications from charities wanting to take part.
It has also garnered celebrity support from notable names, including Eddie Marsan, representing the performing arts charity Mountview, Dominic West, supporting homeless charity Julian House, and Lorraine Kelly, backing the Muscle Help Foundation, which aids children and young adults with muscular dystrophy.
Big Give’s Christmas Challenge video also stars well-known supporters, including Gary Lineker, Dame Imelda Staunton and Dame Prue Leith.
In 2024, the Christmas Challenge raised a record-breaking £44.7 million for 1,267 charities through over 119,000 public donations, with 74 per cent of participants meeting or exceeding their fundraising goals.
The total raised meant the Christmas Challenge became the UK’s biggest public fundraiser of the year, overtaking better-known campaigns such as Children in Need and Comic Relief.
Since its inception in 2007, Big Give has raised almost £370 million for over 20,343 charity projects. At a time when economic challenges and surging demand for services stretch the resources of many charities, the funds raised through the Christmas Challenge are a vital lifeline.
James Reed, Chair of the Trustees of Big Give, said: “We were thrilled last year when the Christmas Challenge became the UK’s biggest public fundraiser, and this year we are aiming to go further.
“Thanks to the generosity of our funding champions, we have secured an unprecedented £25.6 million in match funds to support a record 1,589 charities, ranging from the smallest local community projects to national organisations.
“Match funding is a simple idea, but a brilliant one, and we know our donors love the fact that their money ends up going twice as far. I hope you will join us this year and multiply your generosity. It’s your chance to double the impact you make.”
