BWC is taking part in The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge – where supporters have the opportunity to double their donations during the week the event will run.

This year the challenge will run from 12:00pm on Tuesday 29th November until 12:00pm on Tuesday 6th December. All donations must be made via the Big Give website and within this time frame in order to qualify for the generous donation match.

Food insecurity is the highest it has ever been. The cost-of-living crisis is impacting families right now and BWC has recently seen a 42% increase in demand for our foodbank and support services.

Our weekly foodbank service provides essential food to women and their families who are in crisis in a safe, women-only environment.

Trained volunteers are also on hand to offer emotional support as well as help on specific issues such as domestic abuse, relationships, social isolation, homelessness, financial hardship, unemployment, hate crimes, discrimination, and mental health issues.

Emma Walsh, Foodbank Manager, BWC said: “As well as needing emergency food, the women we support are often facing multiple other challenges.

“They may have complex physical or mental health conditions, traumatic backgrounds, unstable housing and have limited contact with services and support networks. Many have nowhere else to turn for help.

61% of the women with children using our service are single parents, and every donation will help ensure those families continue to be supported during the festive period.”

Lisa Dando, Director, BWC said: “We’re looking to raise a total of £10,000 in online donations in order to access the additional £10,000 available in the matching pot. We urgently need to raise these funds to ensure that our weekly foodbank service can continue to provide emergency food and crisis support.”

Donations will be generously matched by Champions the Women and Girls Match Fund during the campaign, meaning all donations could have twice the impact.

Visit theBigGive.org.uk to make a donation between noon Tuesday 29 November to noon Tuesday 6 December.