Bristol charities are celebrating after smashing their Christmas fundraising targets, collectively raising more than £600,000.
The campaigns, part of Big Give’s Christmas Challenge, closed on Tuesday after running for 7 days. The organisation works with charities across the UK to double donations from the public by finding donors to match contributions.
Several Bristol-based charities and organisations took part in the campaign, including One25, North Bristol & South Gloucestershire Foodbank, 1625 Independent People, InHope, Windhill Hill City Farm, FareShare South West, Bristol Old Vic, Brigstowe and Caring in Bristol.
This year’s one-week Christmas Challenge has raised a record £44.7m nationally, an increase of 35% from last year. Alex Day, Managing Director of Big Give, said: “This year’s campaign has been an incredible success, raising over £44.7m for 1267 charities, thanks to thousands of generous donations. The campaign’s ability to double donations means charities can deliver even more vital work in their communities.
“For Bristol, the funds raised will help tackle pressing local issues, from supporting vulnerable families to enhancing mental health services and creating opportunities for young people. Nationwide, this impact is magnified, helping charities address some of the biggest challenges we face.”
Caring in Bristol is one local charity who have surpassed their fundraising goal, raising £38,418 with a target of £32,000. The charity supports those at risk of becoming homeless and those experiencing homelessness in the city.
Caring in Bristol’s Alv Hirst said: “The generosity of businesses, individuals, trusts and foundations just helps us to do more of that work. Every bit of funding that we get just enables us to do an extra bit of that work and it’s what keeps us going.”
Bristol charity inHope have raised over £100,000 through the campaign. For 35 years, they have supported those in crisis point, from people experiencing homelessness to those fleeing abuse or recovering from addiction. Last year, 83 women used inHope’s women’s night shelter, and the charity provided 7,400 free food parcels to people across Bristol, including 2,800 children.
Speaking on the momentous success, inHope’s Steve Baker says: “Life is incredibly challenging for charities. There’s not a lot of funding around… So just to know that there’s that much support for our work, it’s just incredible. It makes a huge difference to staff.”
Steve continued: “It just shows that people believe in what we do as well, that just gives a real sense of value to it. Like many charities, a good Christmas can actually set them up for the year ahead, give them a bit more stability. It means that we can plan our services… We can know that we can make a difference to people for the year ahead.”
Windmill Hill City Farm is another Bristol-based charity to benefit from the campaign. The money raised will be used to support the farm’s volunteer programme for those with mental health challenges, reducing loneliness and isolation in the community.
Danny Sturgeon from Windmill Hill City Farm says: “It will mean that we can keep going for another year… We rely on donations and grants. We’re all very happy about what we’ve achieved. Including Gift Aid we got £17,089 which is even more than what we were aiming for. We’re over the moon with that, it’s great.”
