The John Schofield Trust is preparing to take part in a fundraising Christmas Challenge!

The Christmas Challenge is an annual match funding campaign facilitated by The Big Give, the UK’s no. 1 match funding platform.

This year, the Trust is aiming to raise £25,000 to expand its online mentoring scheme, which supports young people in further education who are from social mobility ‘coldspots’ and who want to become journalists.

The good news is that we’ve already secured promises for the first £12,500. We’re delighted to have the support of MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis, Knight Ayton Management, and trustee Kate Riley, who are making up our ‘pledge pot’ – the first part of the match fund pot. Their generous support is met with the support of our Christmas Challenge champions, the Four Acre Trust, who make up the rest of our match fund pot.

Now, here’s where you come in!

For one week, and one week only – midday on 30 November to midday on 7 December – every donation you make via our Christmas Challenge page will be worth twice as much, up to this £12,500.

In other words: one donation, twice the impact.

And don’t forget that if you’re a UK taxpayer, you can also Gift Aid any donations! This allows us to claim 25p extra per £1 donated at no extra cost to you. Any funds raised beyond the £12,500 crowdfunding target or through Gift Aid will also go towards our online mentoring scheme, but won’t be match funded.

We’re really excited for this opportunity to expand our online mentoring scheme, which we know helps young people who face extra barriers to get into journalism.

Once the big day arrives, you can donate here.

Please also share with your networks – thank you!