Isle of Wight charity MAD-Aid's Big Give Christmas Challenge

The East Cowes-based organisation must receive £7,500 in online donations in a week and if it succeeds, that will be matched by £7,500 from the national appeal.

It means, for every pound we donate, the donation will be doubled.

The funds will be used to upgrade the neonatal unit at the Mother and Child Institute, in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau, which is supported by MAD-Aid. 

Despite being in the city's main children’s hospital, it has had no investment since 1986 and is in a terrible state.

There is outdated equipment, dangerous electrical wiring and a broken ventilation system.

Around 700 babies are born there per year and 2,000 children visit for rehabilitation but there are no government funds, so MAD-Aid has stepped in.

How to donate to MAD-Aid's Big Give Christmas Challenge appeal

• When the appeal goes live, after midday on Tuesday, November 28, CLICK HERE to donate

• Read more: Isle of Wight charity worker for MAD-Aid beats Sahara Desert

Kate Couch, MAD-Aid’s grant manager, said: “The Big Give Christmas Challenge is an exciting
opportunity for us to maximise the amount of money we raise.

““It was a tough competitive process to be chosen to take part in this year’s Big Give Christmas
Challenge, but it is a win-win situation for MAD-Aid, because it means one donation has twice the impact – a £25 donation from a member of the public becomes £50 for the neonatal unit.

“We hope everyone will give what they can to help us reach our target and enable us to save or
improve the lives of babies who have been born with congenital problems, birth defects and
disabilities, in what is one of the poorest countries in Europe.”

The Christmas Challenge online appeal goes live at midday, on Tuesday, November 28, which is also known as Giving Tuesday. After that, click the link above to donate. Donations must reach £7,500 by noon on December 5 for them to be match-funded.