Online Christmas matchfunding campaign raises record £24m for charity

This year's Big Give’s Christmas Challenge matchfunding campaign has raised a record £24.1m for charities.

This is 20% up on last year’s tally of £20.1m, with 79,054 donations made online this year, an increase of 7,854 on last year.

Charity supporters from 118 countries donated to the 2021 matchfunding campaign, evaluation has shown. A total of 928 charities took part, compared to 764 last year.

The annual Big Give Christmas Challenge took place between November 20 and December 7 this year.

It offers charities the chance to have donations made by their supporters doubled by the online platform’s grant making partners, which this year includes Reed Foundation, EQ Foundation, Candis, Childhood Trust, Hospital Saturday Fund and the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust.

“The public has once again stepped up to the plate,” said Big Give director Alex Day.

“We were blown away by the levels of generosity; to raise over £24m in one week for so many amazing charities is astonishing.

“At a time where the work of chariities has never been more needed, we are so proud to support the 928 charities participating in the campaign.”

Celebrities involved in promoting this year's campaign included Stephen Fry, Dame Judi Dench, Jonny Wilkinson and Dame Helen Mirren.

Among charities supported is the Amber Foundation, which helps young people impacted by homelessness.

“We have been blown away by the support, which will support 28 young homeless people through the coldest months of winter with a temporary home and a programme of support that will help them turn their lives around for good,” said the Foundation’s head of fundraising and communication Stephen Ballantyne.

Another is the Brain Tumour Charity, which raised £148,000 including gift aid in five days during the campaign, exceeding its target of £65,000 to be doubled through match funding to £130,000.

The charity’s gifts and partnerships manager Sally Williams said: “Having the Christmas Challenge matched funding appeal is a real boost to our income at Christmas and we know that our donors love to give in this way, making a real impact to the work that we do.”