- Over £20 million in match funds available, including funds from the Hospital Saturday Fund
- Big Give’s Christmas Challenge runs from 3-10 December 2024
- More than 1,250 participating charities set to benefit
Big Give’s Christmas Challenge, the UK’s largest-ever match funding campaign, officially launches today. Running from 3rd to 10th December 2024, and coinciding with Giving Tuesday, the campaign aims to raise tens of millions of pounds for over 1,250 charities, by doubling public donations through match funding from Big Give’s Champion partners.
This year’s Challenge is set to break records, with over £20 million in match funds secured, thanks to the generosity of Champions, including the Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF).
With a strong focus on supporting medically related charities across the UK, HSF’s funding plays a pivotal role in enhancing health and wellbeing services for countless individuals. From 3rd to 10th December, donations made to charities chosen by the HSF will be doubled, providing vital resources to improve health outcomes when they’re needed most.
Spotlight on impact: The Michael Sobell Hospice Charity
One of the charities benefiting from HSF’s support this year is The Michael Sobell Hospice Charity. This charity believes that everybody living in their local community should be able to access the care and support they need to live each day to the fullest.
Living with a life-limiting or terminal illness is extremely stressful for both the patient and their loved ones. Indeed many families are coming to terms with the fact that this Christmas may be their last one together. Alongside medical and nursing care, they will provide personalised well-being activities to help patients to enjoy the festive period.
“I would like the team to know how much they are appreciated. The team looking after my Grandma and indeed my Mum continue to be the absolute best. A pleasure to meet a number of them on Christmas day. Everybody is fantastic both technically but more importantly as human beings.”
– From a grandson of one of our patients
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 2023, the Christmas Challenge raised an impressive £33 million for 1,077 charities through over 94,000 public donations, with 74% of participants meeting or exceeding their fundraising goals. This year marks a milestone with a record-breaking amount of match funding secured.
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 10th December 2024. To double your donation and make double the difference this Christmas, visit: donate.biggive.org/christmas-challenge-2024/hospital-saturday-24
To watch the Christmas Challenge video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWh7Yrveahg.
For further information, please contact:
| The Hospital Saturday Fund Charity Team
T: 020 7202 1365 |
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