The Christmas Challenge Awards recognise the best performing of the hundreds of charities that take part in the UK’s biggest online match funding campaign each year.

 

Charities were eligible to apply if they met or exceeded their fundraising targets. A judging panel, headed up by Sir Alec Reed CBE, assessed the entries against the following set of criteria:

 

This year we received 73 applications and the results are now in. The judges were hugely impressed by the work put into the applications and we thank all those who took the time to share their success stories. Sir Alec Reed CBE, Founder of the Big Give, added:

“This year we had a number of high quality applications from charities tackling some of the biggest challenges in our society and our planet. The winning charities should be very proud of the impact their hard work and creativity has achieved. These case studies are excellent examples of good practice and I would urge charities participating in future Big Give campaigns to read through them. As with previous years, The Reed Foundation is pleased to award additional funds to all of the Christmas Challenge Award winners to support their important work.”  

 

We are thrilled to announce this year’s Award winners below;

 

Award Winners

 

Overall Winner: Shakespeare Schools Foundation (£3,000)

Second Place: Orchestra of the Swan (£2,000)

Third Place: The Turing Trust (£1,000)

 

Newcomer Award: Plant Your Future (£1,000)

Small Charity Award: Dorset Blind Association (£1,000)

International Charity Award: Project Harar (£1,000)

UK Charity Award: Brendoncare Foundation (£1,000)

Planning and Supporter Engagement Award: South London Cares (£1,000)

Multi Channel Marketing Award: National Animal Welfare Trust (£1,000)

Children’s Project Award: The Jessie May Trust (£1,000)

Demonstrate Learning from the Campaign Award: Hope into Action (£1,000)

Testing New Approaches Award: Forever Hounds Trust (£1,000)

 

Special Mentions for exceptional performance

 

The Students Exploring Marriage Trust

The Big Issue Foundation

Action for M.E.

The Humanimal Trust

North London Cares

Orchestras for All

 

Congratulations to all charities who received an award or special mention. We will be sharing these applications as examples of best practice for charities participating in future Christmas Challenge campaigns.