Charity raises £11,000 in one week with innovative Christmas campaign
Animated gif showing the amount donated during the Big Give Christmas Challenge week and the total amount raised with match funding and Gift Aid.
The Open Table Network (OTN) is celebrating a record-breaking fundraising milestone thanks to the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
OTN raised an incredible £11,785 in just seven days, exceeding its £10,000 target and doubling the impact donations will have in 2026.
Selected through a competitive application process, OTN participated in the Big Give Christmas Challenge from 2nd-9th December 2025.
More than 70 donors contributed £6,104, matched by £2,500 in pledges from OTN supporters and £2,500 a match funder which supports Christian organisations making a positive impact. Gift Aid contributions made the final total more than £11,000!
“We are ending 2025 in the best financial position the charity has ever been in, ready to support even more communities in 2026.”
This year, OTN amplified its seasonal fundraising with its #RoomAtTheTable Advent Calendar campaign, highlighting the vibrant Open Table communities already making a difference across England and Wales. Each day, the campaign has shared stories from Open Table community members and leaders, spreading awareness about the safer spaces OTN already supports where LGBTQIA+ people, their families, and friends can belong and thrive.
To reach a wider audience, OTN harnessed the power of Manychat, an AI chatbot, to automate responses and engage supporters effectively on Facebook and Instagram. Despite being a small charity, with only one part-time member of staff, this integration allowed OTN to make a big impact, ensuring queries were answered promptly and maximising its online reach.
This funding marks a turning point for OTN, enabling the charity to sustain and expand its growing network of safe, inclusive faith communities. These spaces offer LGBTQIA+ people, their families, and friends a place of belonging, fostering mental well-being, spiritual growth, and equality in faith traditions that have too often excluded them.
OTN Director Kieran Bohan reflected on the campaign’s success:
‘This is the most OTN has ever raised in such a short time. With the Advent Calendar campaign and Manychat innovation, we’ve not only raised funds but also strengthened our ability to share a message of love and inclusion. We are ending 2025 in the best financial position the charity has ever been in, ready to support even more communities in 2026.’
OTN’s Funding & Governance Advisor Sarah Jones added:
‘£10,000 might not sound like much for a national charity, but it actually represents almost a quarter of our annual income, so it’s a really big deal for us!
READ MORE about Sarah’s reflection on the Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign here.
READ MORE about OTN’s ‘vital life-saving work’ in the 2024 annual report.
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to everyone who pledged, donated, and shared the campaign. Your generosity ensures OTN can continue its transformative work in 2026 and beyond.
About the Open Table Network
The Open Table Network is a pioneering charity that creates and sustains welcoming, affirming communities for LGBTQIA+ people in churches across five faith traditions. Founded in Liverpool in 2008, OTN now supports nearly 40 communities across England and Wales, ensuring everyone can explore their faith and identity without fear of rejection. READ MORE.
About The Big Give
The Big Give helps charities maximise their impact through match-funded campaigns. Since its inception, it has raised more than £427 million for around 22,000 charities, transforming lives and strengthening communities through collaboration and generosity. READ MORE.
