A CHRISTMAS challenge is being launched by Bromsgrove’s Basement Project to raise £13,500 in just one week.

The Basement Project had to apply back in July for inclusion in the Big Give’s annual fundraising flagship event, which runs from November 28 to December 5.

Participation in The Christmas Challenge sees donations made by the public doubled, by matching them with Big Give ‘Champions’.

The money raised will be used to help fund a Basement Project support worker.

The Basement Project employs six support workers who work across Worcestershire providing drop in services, support in the community, mediation, counselling, and the food bank.

Each year over 200 young people turn to The Basement Project in need of support because they are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in crisis.

The Christmas Challenge is The Basement’s Project’s biggest single fundraising initiative each year. This year’s challenge launches in the wake of Centrepoint’s recent Youth Homelessness Databank statistics, which indicates a 5 per cent increase in the number of 16 – 24-year-olds across the UK who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The ‘Big Give’ Christmas Challenge is open for donations from 12 pm on Tuesday, November 28 until 12pm on Tuesday, December 5.

To make a ‘match funded’ donation visit the Big Give website.

Kelly Turner, community fundraiser, has explained how the team works to support youngsters facing homelessness.

She said: “It can take over 350 hours of support time to help get a homeless young person into a tenancy and provide them with the skills required to maintain it. This can include setting up their tenancy, welfare checks, mental health support, developing life skills, budgeting, and providing food parcels.