Exam Conditions: Here We Go Again

The ServeDirect version of Exam Season is creeping up relentlessly once again. The sense of impending doom, that awful, sinking feeling, the fear of not having done enough preparation and lying awake at night pondering over everything that could go wrong. Not to mention - the most explosive thought, what if it's a total disaster?

We are, in fact, talking about The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025.

In two weeks' time, from December 2nd - 9th, we will be emailing, describing, talking, writing, living, eating and breathing Big Give information - very many words and media to 'compare and contrast' -  to coin a familiar Examspeak phrase. Once again, the total has been set and, once again, why not aim high? 

Last month, Jerry sent out a comprehensive breakdown of everything that the Big Give funded throughout 2025. It reads like the ultimate shopping list, with every item now very pleasingly 'crossed off'. Much as The BG Christmas Campaign currently seems like an enormous mountain to cross, it literally ensures a significant funding base for ServeDirect to support the three projects: WTA, The Rock and Connect for the whole year. This provides the solid foundation for planning ahead and developing new areas, safe in the knowledge that neither sporadic, reactive funding nor urgent messaging are not necessary.

Soon we will be sending out emails, messages, whatsapps and creating videos to talk about the next focus of The Christmas Challenge. We will attempt to communicate concisely, and effectively - even occasionally with good humour. But we will also commit to calming down very quickly after the deadline on December 9th, to leave you in peace to prepare for Christmas.

Although it is a cliché, every donation - small, medium and large - definitely counts. In the last few years, we have not only exceeded the total but greatly benefited from Gift Aid as well, much of it coming from the steady flow of smaller donations. A few key points: 

1. Donate within the fixed period of midday on 2nd until midday on 9th December.
2. Donate knowing that all donations will be doubled - an effective & brilliant way to give over Christmas. 
3. Donate being assured that this a phenomenal team effort, with every donor & supporter playing their part. It would be impossible to do this alone or just as a small SD team.
4. Donate knowing that this will enable education, health and literacy to excel across the projects in 2026

One particular request to those that do dabble with Facebook and Instagram, we would be extremely grateful for any extra interactions, comments, 'likes and shares' of the Big Give fundraising info, as it will be an enormous help over that intense, 7 day period and keeps the news flowing. Not wishing to sound needy, asking to be 'liked', but the army of algorithms are not friendly or favourable to smaller organisations.

So, as we prepare carefully, do our 'homework' and get ready, as a team, for this impending 'Big Give' exam, we are aiming to banish the stressy, sinking feeling, in order to feel quietly confident that we will not only pass, but exceed the target and pass well once again!