It’s that time again where the countdown to the Jingle Jam begins. This year, I’ve shortened that countdown to 50 days rather than 100. Starting the countdown almost a third of the year away, despite that being when the charities being supported for the year getting announced, seemed too far. With 50 days, it means there’s less than two months until it begins. But also means this countdown begins at a time when sign ups to be part of the Jingle Jam are now open.

For the first time since partnering with the Jingle Jam in 2017, The Grand Appeal are not part of this years charities. The Jingle Jam Building has been fully funded and construction is under way. It will soon be a place where kids can be with their families after the most critical of procedures is over. The Jingle Jam is always generous in supporting hospitals, leading to a new hospital charity partnering with Jingle Jam.

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, better known as GOSH, is that new charity, where funds raised will go toward the in-hospital Play Team. Kids should be able to be kids, being playful and imaginative across their years. But serious illnesses can rob them of that, which is why GOSH have their Play Team. A team that can help kids be prepared for the surgeries and treatments they will go through using the same ways they show playfulness and imagination. Such as role play and drawing.

Returning as a partner for a second year is WWF. Climate Change is a big deal, and WWF are working to stop the increased acceleration of it. Projects such as Wholescape, that aim to restore natural areas across the whole of the UK, and others across the world such as planting seagrass and protecting the Amazon Rainforest. Those and more are attempting to bring the global temperature increase down to 1.5ºC.

Also returning for a second year partnering with the Jingle Jam are Become and Make-A-Wish. Become help young people who are in the care system get the same chances as everyone else. They aim to raise awareness of the problems in the care system, and support those who are currently in it. Granting them opportunities they might otherwise not have seen.

Make-A-Wish are there for kids who are critically ill, allowing them to see their dreams come true. The power of a wish can provide a great amount of positivity for a kid, giving them strength to endure the treatments they go through. Offering them a distraction from those treatments. There’s been many wishes granted across the years, with many more possible through the funds raised.

After a few years, SpecialEffect are back as a partner of the Jingle Jam. Utilising technology to help physically disabled people be included in the world, SpecialEffect lead the drive for accessibility devices, such as games and software that can be controlled through nothing but the eyes. Such technology can help the physically disabled connect with others, finding positivity in sharing their experiences of games just the same as everyone else.

War is devastating to anyone, but especially kids. Which is why War Child are helping them. Offering up support and providing services to help communities affected by conflict, a better future can be granted to them. Helping them through any trauma from the conflict, and providing places where they can learn as any kid should. Letting those communities flourish once again one step at a time.

Life can be hard for any young person, but for those of the LGBTQ+ community, it can be harder. Hate and negativity can bring anyone down. Which is why The Trevor Project provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ young people, letting them know that life can get better. That it doesn’t need to end. Having someone who cares for them can be all that is needed for a person to not take that final act. The Trevor Project can be that someone.

Campaign Against Living Miserably act the same. For all people. They aim to be there for when people are struggling, helping them end the misery that could drive them to a final act. Provide information that can help, such as ways to manage mental health. Giving knowledge to all on how to help. Offering a community where people can feel welcomed and supported. Bringing some positivity to those who need it most.

The Jingle Jam begins on 1/December, running for two weeks. Across those two weeks the Yogscast will have their full itinerary of streams, with many staples such as Feed a Cow For Christmas being present, along with showing off the games in the Jingle Jam Games Collection. At 17:00 GMT, when Lewis and Simon appear to deliver the community-made Jingle Cats, the event will begin.

It’s not just the Yogscast raising for the Jingle Jam, as there has been a lot of engagement from communities across the world these last few years. The same is sure to be a thing this year too. No matter how big a community is, they can help raise awareness of the great causes the Jingle Jam partners with every year. Offering up the gift of games for giving to great causes. Registrations are open if you too want to be part of that.

Many charities across the years have seen the great support that Jingle Jam provides. Many great causes have been helped, from the earliest days of Oxfam being the only charity, to now where multi-year partnerships are happening. Since 2011, the communities that help Jingle Jam have raised over £31 million, with last year being one of the most successful. Will be interesting to see how this year fares, though the spirit of giving and community will be present no matter what happens.

Images Taken From:
Patient, family and staff support | GOSH Charity
–Wholescape: Seeing the bigger picture | WWF
–Who we are | Become
–How we manage funds: Your donations creating impact | Make-A-Wish
Our Work | SpecialEffect
–Our history – Who we are | War Child
–How Allies Can Support and Celebrate Pride Month | The Trevor Project
–Meet the four blokes who took on the Atlantic for CALM | CALM
Jingle Cats with Lewis & Simon | Jingle Jam 2025 Day 1 | The Yogscast
–Ye Olde Feede a Cowe for Christmas | Jingle Jam 2025 Day 2 | The Yogscast
–Shantyoke with the Longest Johns | Jingle Jam 2025 Day 8 | The Yogscast
–Rythian and Zylus get Platformed | Jingle Jam 2025 Day 13 | The Yogscast