The Hospital Saturday Fund joins Big Give’s Christmas Challenge 2025

• Over £44.7 million raised in last year’s Challenge – a record-breaking total
• Big Give’s Christmas Challenge 2025 runs from 2-9 December 2025
• More than 1,250 participating charities set to benefit once again
• HSF donates £75,000 to support 24 charities this year

Christmas Challenge 2025 – Campaign Update

The Christmas Challenge 2025 campaign closed at noon on Tuesday 9th December and exceeded all expectations, raising an incredible £57.4 million for 1,591 participating charities. This represents a new record for the campaign, surpassing last year’s total of £44.7 million.

The campaign grew by 28% year on year, demonstrating the continued strength of public generosity, even during challenging economic times. Notably, the Christmas Challenge raised more than both Comic Relief (£34 million) and Children in Need (£45.5 million) in 2025.

A total of 152,974 donations were made during the campaign, with an average donation value of £179, highlighting the effectiveness of match funding in encouraging higher levels of giving. Across the campaign, 95% of available match funding was utilised, and three quarters of participating charities met or exceeded their fundraising targets.

Supporters can view the performance of The Hospital Saturday Fund’s portfolio via the following link:
https://donate.biggive.org/christmas-challenge-2025/hospital-saturday-25

Spotlight on impact: Me Association

One of the charities benefiting from HSF’s support this year is The ME Association, which provides vital help to people living with ME/CFS and Long Covid. The charity is committed to ensuring that individuals affected by these debilitating conditions can access the support, guidance and understanding they need each day.

Living with ME/CFS can be profoundly life-limiting, with symptoms such as chronic fatigue and post-exertional malaise affecting every aspect of daily life. Many families face the uncertainty of managing a long-term condition with few treatment options. Through information, emotional support and funding crucial biomedical research, the ME Association helps people navigate these challenges with dignity and hope.

“Living with ME is incredibly isolating. The ME Association has been a lifeline – offering reassurance, information and the sense that we’re not facing this alone.” – From an MEA supporter

Big Give: Transforming lives through match funding

Since its inception in 2007, Big Give has raised over £300 million for thousands of charities, with nearly half of the funds supporting small charities with annual incomes under £1 million. At a time when economic challenges and surging demand stretch resources, the funds raised through the Christmas Challenge are a vital lifeline. By doubling public donations through match funding from Big Give Champions, the campaign maximises impact for both donors and charities alike.

In 2024, the Christmas Challenge achieved its highest-ever results, raising an extraordinary £44.7 million for 1,267 charities through more than 119,000 public donations. Remarkably, 74% of participating charities reached their fundraising target, marking a record-breaking year of generosity and impact.

Paul Jackson, Group Chief Executive of the Hospital Saturday Fund, said: “At The Hospital Saturday Fund, we are deeply committed to supporting health and wellbeing, which is why we’re honoured to be a part of Big Give’s Christmas Challenge. By doubling donations, we can provide life-changing support to medically related charities that help individuals and families during their most challenging times. This campaign is about more than raising funds—it’s about bringing hope and making a meaningful difference to those who need it most”.

James Reed, Chair of the Trustees of Big Give, said: “With a record level of match funds provided by our Champion partners, we’re calling on the amazingly generous British public to help make this our most impactful campaign yet. When people give to us they are not giving to Big Give, they are giving through Big Give to charitable causes they really care about, and this year there are 1,250 charities that stand to benefit. Every donation will be doubled so you can double the difference you make. We are especially grateful to The Hospital Saturday Fund for their unwavering support, which will enable medically related charities to continue delivering critical health and wellbeing services to individuals and communities across the UK.”

The Christmas Challenge runs until 12 noon on 9th December 2025. To double your donation and make double the difference this Christmas, visit: donate.biggive.org/christmas-challenge-2025/hospital-saturday-25

To watch the Christmas Challenge video, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG-RmAZPrJk

For further information, please contact: