Christmas Big Give 2025 | Make Christmas magical for children in refuge

There’s one question children staying in our domestic abuse refuges ask every year:

“Will Father Christmas be able to find me now I’m living here?” 

It’s a heartbreaking question. But for the 200 mothers and children who will spend this Christmas in Hestia’s refuges across London, safety has come at the cost of leaving everything familiar behind.  

As the festive season approaches, we’re doing everything we can to reassure children who will be spending Christmas far from home. But we urgently need your support to make this Christmas magical for families on the road to recovery. 

That’s why, for one week, from 2 (midday) – 9 (midday) December, we’re taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, with the aim of raising £40,000 to bring hope and joy to families staying in our refuges. 

And the best part? All donations made to Hestia via The Big Give website from 2 to 9 December will be doubled at no extra cost to you until we reach our target, thanks to the generosity of our match funders, The Julia Rausing Trust, and Tokio Marine HCC. 

Double your donation now

Watch our video below to see how our staff will be bringing the magic of Christmas to our domestic abuse refuges this year:

What is Hestia raising money for? 

Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time for mothers and children who have escaped domestic abuse - triggering painful memories and feelings of guilt for mothers struggling to afford food and gifts for their children. Spending Christmas away from the comforts of home is hard for any family, but it is especially tough for those who have arrived at our refuges during the cold winter months with little more than they can carry. 

“Before I was dreading Christmas as I didn't know what to get my children, but now I feel positive about the future, knowing that you are behind me”

- Mother from one of our families in our refuges

Together, we can make Christmas count by: 

• Bringing warmth and belonging with festive meals, decorations, and thoughtful gifts. 

• Creating joyful memories through outings and celebrations that help mothers and children reconnect and heal. 

• Providing life-changing support, including therapy for children and confidence-building programmes for mothers starting anew. 
   

How your donations could make a difference 

Moment of Magic

£35 could provide a small Christmas gift or festive treats for a child to open at Christmas 

Donate now

Cosy Christmas

£100 could fund pyjamas, hot meals, a storybook, and outings for a child over the Christmas holidays 

Donate now

Peace of Mind

£500 could provide a child with specialist mental health support on their healing journey 

Donate now

A Brighter New Year

£1,200 could provide a child with one-to-one support during their refuge stay

Donate now