PETERSFIELD charity Home-Start Butser is appealing to people to donate to The Big Give Christmas Challenge in an effort to raise £30,000 to help local young families struggling to cope.

The week-long Big Give Christmas Challenge charity pledges to match local donations pound for pound.

Home-Start Butser spokesman Nicola Winter said: “Our target is £30,000 this year – a huge sum of money.

“So we are pulling out all the stops to get £15,000 in donations during that week to deliver the £30,000.

“These funds are vitally important to help us continue our work with local families and young children, to give their children the best start in life, as families are running on empty.

“The pandemic has been hard for everyone, but it’s been toughest on those already facing challenges around mental health, low incomes and other challenges.

“Our work is needed now more than ever as the pandemic has put families with young children under incredible strain.

“Adapting over these past difficult months, our wonderful band of volunteers and staff have continued to support 70 local families with young children.

“We are determined to continue to do everything we can to keep them feeling cared for, and able to offer their children the best they possibly can.

“We have been overwhelmed by the kindness shown during these past months but there is so much more to do.”

Founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Alec Reed CBE, the Christmas Challenge has raised millions of pounds for thousands of charity projects since it launched the Big Give in 2008.

Charities across the country are invited to take part in the fundraising challenge.

They are then vetted to become eligible for the week-long Big Give.

This year 924 charities, including Home-Start Butser, are taking part.

A Big Give Christmas Challenge spokesman said: “The match funding is provided by Big Give’s network of philanthropists, trusts and foundations, and businesses.

“We specialise in bringing charities, philanthropists and the public together to multiply their impact.

“We run the Christmas Challenge, an annual match- funding campaign which raises millions of pounds for good causes, as well as other match-funding campaigns.”

The Big Give Christmas Challenge runs to December 8, and donations can be as little as £5 which will raise £10 for Home-Start.