NEWS COPY
Brits are more likely to donate to a charity if it has helped someone they know.
A study of 2,000 adults found one third are more inclined to give to a cause if it has assisted someone close to them.
And the same number feel more charitable if a friend or family member has suffered from a condition related to the organisation.
Wanting to help someone in need or seeing something upsetting on the news are also among the reasons people dig deep for good causes.
It also emerged 25 per cent of respondents are driven by the desire to help others, while 36 per cent feel good when they give to charity.
And 62 per cent would be more likely to give if they knew their donation was to be matched, growing the impact of their gift.
Charities which support children and young people are the most popular to support in the UK, along with medical and animal organisations.
More than seven in 10 of those polled by The Big Give believe it’s important to give to charity, with almost 65 per cent wishing they could afford to give more to good causes.
Jonathan Frank, director of The Big Give and its Christmas Challenge 2019 - the national fundraising appeal launching on 'Giving Tuesday' (3rd December), said: “Our research confirms that the public recognises the key role charities play in our society and how important it is to give back.
“Christmas is traditionally a time for giving, where people are known for their generosity and thoughtfulness towards families, friends and charities alike.
“We’re looking to make a huge difference this December and for one week only, as part of our Christmas Challenge, our funding champions will double all donations made through The Big Give’s website.”
The study also found that although handing over cash is the way most people choose to give money (56 per cent), donation channels are changing and one in five are now happy to give online from their mobile phone, a computer or via contactless.
And one quarter of respondents are willing to commit to regular spend via direct debit throughout the year.
Over the past 12 months, in addition to donating money, one fifth of adults have taken part in a sponsored event or activity.
One quarter have volunteered or given their time, while 12 per cent have organised a fundraising collection to gather donations.
Almost one in six Brits have also given blood this year, with more than one in 10 having joined the organ donor list.
And 24 per cent have amended their shopping habits, to try and only shop in places where the business donates some of the proceeds to charity.
A quarter of Brits also say they feel a sense of pride following their good deed, with more than half feeling that Christmas is a time for giving.
Spending time with family and thinking of those who are less fortunate during the festive season were reasons why respondents feel compelled to give this winter.
Just under one quarter said having time off work usually makes them think about what really matters, and one fifth say feeling guilty about spending so much on presents makes them more likely to give to those who are in need.
And as the festive season approaches, buying cards including a charity donation and giving to a food bank scored the most likely charitable acts that will take place across the UK.
However, 24 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, have no plans to do anything charitable in the lead up to Christmas.
The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge 2019 aims to raise £14 million for good causes, and brings together supporters, philanthropists and almost 600 UK charities in the nation’s biggest match funding appeal.
Throughout the week (3rd to 10th December), Brits are being encouraged to choose their favourite cause and donate online at thebiggive.org.uk to see their donations matched, pound for pound, by the campaign’s funding partners.
Sir Alec Reed, entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of The Big Give, says: “Charitable giving is a very personal issue and there are a wide range of factors that inspire us to donate.
"And yet, we all want to feel that our donations really do make a difference.
“The Christmas Challenge is a once-a-year opportunity to achieve even greater impact for the causes we care about.
"There’s never a better time to think about what we can do to give back.”
TOP REASONS BRITS DONATE
1. The organisation/ charity has helped someone you know
2. A friend or family member has suffered from a condition related to the cause
3. Wanting to help someone in need
4. Giving to help others makes you feel good
5. Friends/ family asking for sponsorship
6. Feeling aware of having a more fortunate life than others
7. Seeing something upsetting on the news, television programme or online
8. A charity appeal moved you to tears
9. Benefitting from a charity's services yourself
10. You come into money and want to give back
11. A rare cause needing support
12. Wanting to invest to ensure a charity's services will continue
13. If a charity makes it easy for me to give
14. A funder or employer offering to match your donation
15. Being asked to give by a charity fundraiser
16. The ability to set up a direct debit to benefit the charity over the long-term
17. Getting the all clear from a health check up
18. Family donates to the same cause
19. Religious beliefs
20. Knowing someone else donates too
ENDS
