LONDON, December 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Charitable giving is in decline and as a result many organisations are under threat. theBigGive.org.uk has taken up the challenge to reverse this trend and come up with an innovative way to encourage people to give - by offering to double donations made to a vast array of charities in the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

The Big Give has an incredible £5m available to match donations made by the public during the Christmas Challenge. Donations are being doubled by a combination of 'Big Givers' and charities own trustees and major donors. The generous Big Givers include the Reed Foundation, ICAP, Garfield Weston Foundation, Candis Magazine, the Pilgrim Trust and the Waterloo Foundation.

The Christmas Challenge runs from 5^th-9^th December, with more 'doubling' funds released at 10am every day. Over 450 charities are participating and competing for the largest share of the funds. This is the fourth Christmas Challenge run on theBigGive.org.uk and looks set to be largest yet, with a target of £10million. Last year's Challenge raised over £9million, with the first £1million raised in just 45minutes.

The Big Give was established by Sir Alec Reed as a platform for charities to showcase their work and has now evolved into a website for intelligent giving, where donations go that little bit further.

Sir Alec believes that people donating in these difficult economic times should be rewarded. "Now, more than ever, charities need your money. I am pledging £1m to match donations made to a whole range of charities on the Big Give. The more you give, the more of my money your charity will receive".

Never before have donors been given the opportunity to have their donation matched to over 450 different charities. This unique opportunity is unparalleled in the UK and affords donors the chance to make twice the impact whatever the size of their gift.

To make a matched donation, visit theBigGive.org.uk from 10am on Monday 5^th December

The 2011 Challenge was launched in style at the Fortnum & Mason Charity Christmas Party on 1^st December.  1,000 guests enjoyed champagne, delicious food and top entertainment from Big Give charities at the festive extravaganza.  The night was generously funded by Fortnum & Mason , allowing each guest to donate 100% of their ticket price to the charity of their choice on theBigGive.org.uk

External links

http://thebiggive.org.uk

http://content.thebiggive.org.uk/hidden/christmas-challenge-2011/

SOURCE The Big Give