The Big Give: Christmas Challenge
ONE DONATION, TWICE THE IMPACT
Advance care for vulnerable newborns
One donation, twice the impact
Get your donation doubled for free!
The Big Give Christmas Challenge is the UK's largest annual online fundraising campaign where donations to participating charities are DOUBLED through match funding. This means that for every £1 you donate, Action Medical Research receives £2, effectively doubling the impact of your contribution.
The way it works is that we secure pledges from our supporters and additional funds from "Champions" (generous individuals, foundations, or corporations). During a specific campaign week (2-9 December this year), when you donate through the Big Give website, your donation is matched by these funds, as long as match funds are available.
Getting involved is simple:
1. Make your donation online: Donations can be made via the charity's page on the Big Give site from midday 2 December to midday 9 December. You'll know in real time if your donation is matched.
2. Timing matters: The earlier you donate once the challenge starts (2 December), the more likely your donation will be doubled, as matching funds are limited.
It's a straightforward way for anyone to amplify your impact on Action's vital work to help children born prematurely.
Reducing pain and improving brain development in preterm babies
Every year, thousands of babies in the UK are born prematurely, facing a range of medical challenges from the moment they arrive. Among the most pressing concerns is the impact of repeated painful procedures in neonatal care, which can affect brain development and long-term outcomes. This pioneering research project, led by Dr Heather Kitt and her team at the University of Oxford, is exploring how to reduce pain and protect the developing brains of preterm babies—potentially transforming the way neonatal care is delivered.
The team is investigating the use of advanced brain imaging and monitoring techniques to better understand how pain affects premature infants and how interventions might help. By identifying the most effective ways to minimise pain and stress, this research could lead to improved clinical practices that support healthier brain development and reduce the risk of long-term cognitive and emotional difficulties. It’s a vital step toward ensuring that the most vulnerable babies receive the gentlest and most effective care possible.
By supporting this project, via the Big Give Christmas Challenge, you will make a direct and lasting impact. Donations will help fund the specialist equipment, data analysis, and clinical collaboration needed to drive the research forward. Most importantly, it will bring us closer to a future where premature babies not only survive, but thrive—protected from unnecessary pain and given the best possible start in life.
Elsie's story
We practically lived at the hospital. Elsie was so fragile and we needed to be constantly vigilant
Elsie was born at just 25 weeks—more than three months early—and weighed only 1lb 13oz. Her arrival was sudden and traumatic, and she was immediately rushed to neonatal intensive care. In her first few weeks, Elsie faced a series of serious complications including sepsis, a collapsed lung, and bleeding on the brain. She underwent multiple blood transfusions and was placed on a ventilator to help her breathe. Each day brought new challenges, and her parents could only watch and hope as she fought for survival.
The physical toll on Elsie was immense. She endured countless painful procedures, and the stress of intensive care placed her developing brain at risk. Even after leaving hospital, her journey continued with regular check-ups and ongoing concerns about her long-term development. Her story is a powerful reminder of the vulnerability of premature babies and the urgent need for better ways to protect them during their earliest days.
Funding for research in this area can make a lasting difference to children like Elsie. By supporting studies that aim to reduce pain and improve brain development in preterm babies, we can help ensure that more children not only survive but go on to live healthy, fulfilling lives. Every donation brings us closer to a future where babies like Elsie are given the best possible start.
You can make a real difference to children like Elsie
By donating through the Big Give Christmas Challenge you can get your DONATION DOUBLED and help give children like Elsie a brighter future.
Please note: donations are doubled up until the £180,000 target is reached. Any additional donations will be gratefully received and used wherever the need is greatest.
How you can help
The Big Give Christmas Challenge begins at midday Tuesday 2 – midday Tuesday 9 December.