We’re delighted to announce that we’ve been named ‘Best Children’s Charity’ in the Big Give Christmas Challenge Awards.

The award recognises the success of our campaign in December 2019, which raised over £76,000. Proceeds will support our work with children from the most disadvantaged areas of the UK, enabling them to take part in Shakespeare Schools Festival. Through taking part in the Festival, children gain confidence and skills for life.

Our Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign was championed by actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, a Patron of our charity. In a video filmed for the campaign, he highlighted the impact the arts can have in the lives of young people, saying: “Shakespeare Schools Foundation helps children right across the UK to find their own voice and gain the confidence they need.”

Our Patron Hugh Dennis fronted our Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign

Our Chief Executive Ruth Brock said: “We are delighted that Shakespeare Schools Foundation’s brilliant and generous donors have helped us to achieve this award, most importantly giving us the chance to change many more young lives through our work in 2020.”

The Big Give Christmas Challenge is a match-fundraising campaign. During the appeal week, which ran 3rd to 10th December 2019, donations to Shakespeare Schools Foundation were doubled by match-funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and individual pledgers. Donations were doubled until the our target of £60,000 was reached, with 130 donors contributing. Further donations then contributed to the final total.

Shakespeare Schools Foundation’s Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign built on the success of its 2018 campaign, which won Overall Winner in the Big Give Christmas Challenge Awards 2018.

Find out how your students could benefit from the experience of Shakespeare Schools Festival.