• HARP, Essex’s leading homelessness charity based in Southend, is calling on the public to get behind its 2025 Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign, running from 12 p.m. on 2nd December – 12 p.m. on 9th December.
• The charity aims to raise £45,000 in just seven days, with all donations doubled at no extra cost to supporters.
• The Big Give Christmas Challenge is the UK’s largest collaborative fundraising campaign. It unites philanthropists, foundations, and businesses to match public donations for participating charities, helping funds go further at a time when need is greatest.

This year’s appeal comes as homelessness across Essex reaches critical levels. More than 8,800 people are currently in temporary accommodation, sofa surfing, or sleeping rough – placing unprecedented pressure on services across the county. As temperatures drop, HARP is experiencing exceptionally high demand for its support.

Thanks to the generosity of several anonymous local donors, every contribution made to HARP during the campaign week will be matched pound for pound, doubling its impact. With the rising cost of living affecting households across the region, even small donations will make a meaningful difference to people facing homelessness this Christmas.

 Agata Elliott, Director of Fundraising and Communications at HARP, said:

“The Big Give offers a fantastic opportunity to maximise the impact of our fundraising efforts. We are incredibly grateful to the generous local donors who have agreed to match donations next week. It’s heartening to see local and national communities coming together to support charities like HARP, especially at such a critical time of year. Put simply, for donors it means that if they donate money for one Christmas dinner, it buys two!”

Funds raised through the Big Give will support the ongoing running costs of the Bradbury Day Centre in Southend – a lifeline for people sleeping rough. The centre provides daily access to food, warmth, clothing, showers, and other essential services. Each person who seeks help is also assigned a dedicated support worker to help them move into stable housing and out of homelessness for good.

HARP is urging residents, businesses, and community groups to give what they can during the campaign week and help provide hope and practical support to people in crisis this winter.

Donations made between 12 p.m. on 2nd December – 12 p.m. on 9th December will be doubled and can be made via the Big Give Christmas Challenge platform.

Visit https://harpsouthend.org.uk/double to double your donation next week.