Food for Thought: Three fantastic Christmas charity campaigns
From the highly anticipated John Lewis adverts to the Coca-Cola truck tour campaign, advertising is as much a part of the holiday season as a good glass of mulled wine.
But Christmas ad campaigns aren’t just for huge corporations – they’re an invaluable tool in the fundraising kit.
Why? The season of goodwill accounts for nearly 30% of charitable donations according to the Network for Good. So, Christmas is a prime time to make an ask.
There are loads of amazing campaigns we could mention to inspire you, but, for the sake of time, we’ve whittled it down to three of our favourites from 2021.
1. One Step Closer to Home
GOSH’s festive campaign is a heart-wrenching, 60-second animated film about 4-year-old Henry, a GOSH patient with a rare cardio condition.
We follow Henry as he travels from GOSH to his home in East Yorkshire, for a short Christmas break.
On the way home, we see him collect a series of magical stockings that represent donations from real-life GOSH charity supporters, such as 100-year-old Ivy, who climbed 100,000 metres to support the children’s charity.
With each magical stocking Henry receives, he grows taller, until he finally makes it home to be with his family to celebrate Christmas.
The real Henry may not have been given any magical stockings, but the donations from generous people like Ivy helped get him home for Christmas.
Check out the ad here: Great Ormond Street Hospital
2. This Christmas, let's make Santa's list the only list children care about
This campaign is more sombre but equally emotive.
The advert starts with a young girl writing a letter to Santa. But instead of asking for a PS5 or a Paw Patrol playset, she writes, ‘Dear Santa, I just want to stop feeling sad.’
Simple but poignant, the video highlights the fact that thousands of children are stuck on lengthy waiting lists for physical and psychological support.
The link between Santa’s list and waiting lists inspired thousands of donations.
A powerful message that was cleverly executed by Scottish charity, Children 1st.
Watch it here: Children 1st
3. The Good Fire
This campaign from anti-homelessness charity, Shelter is a little different to the others in that it’s not just encouraging people to donate. It also provides them with a unique way to do so.
To donate, all viewers need to do is watch The Good Fire - a ten-hour YouTube video of a roaring fireplace, ‘that provides real heat to those forced into homelessness’.
You don’t need to watch the whole ten hours to raise money though. YouTube videos generate ad revenue based on the number of views they get. So even if you watch it for a minute, Shelter will benefit.
This is an inspired example of tech for good, and it could well be the start of a movement.
Watch the ad here: The Good Fire Launch Film
Looking for a fundraiser to develop your Christmas campaign? Call us on 0203 750 3111 to get started.