With just 10 days to Rosh Hashanah, GIFT is set to launch its largest fundraising campaign to date - “Be a Giving Hero”.

This initiative aims to raise much-needed funds and inspire the Jewish community to engage in meaningful acts of giving ahead of the New Year.

Starting this Sunday, GIFT aims to raise £1.2 million over 36 hours by encouraging 10,000 individuals to make donations, regardless of size.

The campaign is a crucial step in GIFT’s mission to foster a generation of givers, with funds directly supporting educational programmes, food distribution to families in need and volunteering opportunities that will strengthen community bonds.

“Now, more than ever, we need to counterbalance a culture of self-interest by teaching people—young and old—the power of giving,” said Michelle Barnett MBE, director of GIFT. “The funds raised through this campaign are crucial, but even more important is the message - that we all have a role to play in supporting and uplifting those around us.”

A key component of the campaign is the “Giving Hero Missions” programmer, launching in schools and cheders.

This initiative encourages primary school children to complete small but impactful acts of kindness, such as holding the door open for someone or picking up litter. These everyday acts are a powerful reminder that giving doesn’t have to be financial, but is about creating a mindset of generosity from an early age, said Barnett.

Children participating in the missions will wear special “hero masks” and perform acts of kindness. This is just one way GIFT is helping young people realise that they can be heroes in their own communities, shaping the next generation of givers in a fun and meaningful way.

“Giving Heroes” Jordan and Rachel Pearlman were inspired to help others after seeing their mum, Gaby, volunteer at GIFT’s warehouse for three years.

The teenagers aunched the “Green Closet” initiative in 2022 in collaboration with GIFT, collecting and selling second-hand clothes online. The proceeds are used to buy vouchers for GIFT recipients to purchase new clothes.

Jordan and Rachel Pearlman, who launched Green Closet in collaboration with GIFT, selling second-hand clothes to raise money for GIFT recipients to spend on new clothes (Photo: Pearlman family)

One recipient, a 17-year-old girl estranged from her family, told GIFT of her happiness at being able to shop for new clothes for the first time, saying that it gave her a sense of pride.

Jordan said: “Knowing the impact of our initiative makes us proud. It shows that anyone can make a difference with a good idea.”

Moreover, by reaching the £1.2 million goal, GIFT will be able to continue delivering these essential services, while also expanding its new volunteer hub and food bank in Hendon.

This new hub will officially open ahead of the campaign with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a volunteer appreciation event. It will serve as a central point for community members to engage in volunteer work and give back in tangible ways, further promoting GIFT’s mission of creating a community of givers.

For more information on how to get involved in the “Be a Giving Hero” campaign, click here