Annual matchfunding charity campaign The Big Give Christmas Challenge has raised £20.1m, beating last year’s total by £4.5m.

The push is the crowdfunding platform Big Give’s festive fundraiser that pledges to double the sums donated to hundreds of charities that take part.

This year more than 750 charities signed up, exceeding the 589 that took part last year, when £15.6m was raised.

During 2020’s push more than 71,000 donations were made and the event benefitted from celebrity endorsement on social media from among others Leonardo DiCaprio, David Walliams and Wilfried Zaha.

The average donation this year was £136 and 85% of charities involved exceeded their fundraising targets.

The match funding is provided by philanthropic organisations including the Reed Foundation, Julia and Hans Rausin and the EQ Foundation.

“We’re delighted to have raised a record-breaking £20m for 764 good causes. This year people have been especially generous and I would like to thank everyone for their incredible generosity, kindness and support,” said Big Give chair James Reed.

Among charities to benefit is Borne, which is backed by former Rugby player Will Greenwood.

"It's been a difficult year for so many charities including Borne, a medical research charity that is very close to mine and my wife's hearts, with the mission of ending preterm birth,” said Greenwood.

“The Big Give Christmas Challenge was the perfect way to end the year on a positive note - and we were blown away by the response of supporters who helped us raise over £158,000, smashing our target.”

Another is the Peal District National Park Foundation, whose fundraising coordinator Claire Barlow said: “We are delighted at the response our Big Give Christmas Challenge has had with our supporters. We are a relatively small charity, and this is the first time we have taken part in the challenge. But we smashed our £4,000 fundraising target after only 48 hours.”

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