Double the Impact: Our Big Give Christmas Challenge Begins

Today we’re thrilled to launch our Big Give Christmas Challenge — and we invite you to start the festive season with purpose, joy, and hope. Over the coming week, your donation to the River Thames Boat Project will be doubled through match funding — meaning every pound you give between 2–9 December becomes two pounds to support therapeutic river cruises, educational programmes, volunteer development, and community access to the Thames.  

Donate here 

A look back at 2025 and the impact you make possible 

Thanks to our growing community of supporters, volunteers, and partner organisations, 2025 has already been a remarkable year. Across our two accessible riverboats (Thames Discoverer and Thames Venturer), we’ve brought more people onto the river — especially those for whom access is hard: older people, those living with disabilities, those feeling socially isolated, and disadvantaged groups. The sense of calm, connection, and renewal our cruises bring is central to our mission. 

 In our last full reporting year (2023–24), we delivered 82 therapeutic cruises and 65 education days, welcoming 2,908 people on the river — from schoolchildren to older adults to community groups.  

 With your help, we’ve maintained our commitment to inclusion: small group sizes (maximum 12 clients per cruise, including companions or carers) ensure a safe, personal experience.  

But the challenge remains. Only about 40% of our operating costs can be met through booking fees and charges; the rest must come from donations, grants, and community support.  

 To illustrate: a £1,000 donation pays for a full-day therapeutic cruise for 12 people, while £345 can fund an Eco Venturers class for 30 children who otherwise might not get such outdoor learning.  

Donate here 

What is the Big Give match, and how does it help? 

During the Big Give week, every donation is matched pound for pound up to a given fundraising goal. That means your generosity is doubled instantly — doubling the benefit to our community, and effectively magnifying your impact. This is one of the most effective ways to stretch your support. 

Join us now — your early gift matters 

We encourage you to donate early in the campaign. Early momentum helps us reach those match targets, signals confidence to other donors, and spreads momentum across social media and community networks. 

 Whether you give £10, £50, or £1,000 (or more), your gift will be doubled — bringing more joy, calm and connection to people who need it most. 

Take a moment now to visit our campaign page, make your gift, and share it with friends, family, and colleagues. Together we can reach — or even exceed — our target. 

Every pound donated between 2–9 December will be doubled — bringing more joy, calm and connection to those who need it most. 

Donate here