Fundraising Campaign to support young people's mental health - with all donations doubled
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Action East Devon has been selected to take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025, the UK’s largest match-funding campaign. This is the first year the charity has joined the national initiative, which doubles every donation made by the public during the campaign week.
The charity aims to raise £4,000 to support its Headlight peer-support groups for young people facing mental health challenges. Headlight currently runs community-based groups in Axminster, Ottery St Mary and Seaton, and is planning to open new groups in Honiton and Sidmouth in 2026.
Donations to Action East Devon will be doubled for seven days from midday on Tuesday 2nd December until midday on Tuesday 9th December. Every pound given during this period will have twice the impact. Donations can be made using the link https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS00000619aTYAQ or by searching for Action East Devon on the Big Give Christmas Challenge website.
Demand for support in East Devon remains high. Local young people face the third longest waiting lists for NHS mental health services in England. Headlight groups provide a safe, supportive space where young people can share their experiences and meet others who are learning to cope better. Feedback shows that 95% of young people feel their mental health has improved and 90% feel their confidence has increased.
Chairman Chris Botham said: “It’s our first ever Big Give campaign, and it is fantastic that every donation made to Action East Devon using this link will be doubled. That’s thanks to the generous organisations and businesses in East Devon who have pledged money towards our campaign, and to the Hospital Saturday Fund which is championing us this year.”
Local pledge-givers supporting the match funding include Axminster Rotary Club; Axminster Lions Club; Bennett & Rogers, Seaton; Lentells Accountants, Seaton; Hammett Associates, Seaton; Fortnam, Smith & Banwell (FSB4Homes), Seaton; Masonic Lodge Virtue & Honour, Axminster; Milford & Dormer, Chard; and WBW Solicitors, Axminster.
Action East Devon hopes that the community will get behind the campaign and help double the impact of every donation made during the Big Give week.
( Photo: Action East Devon 📸 )