Jingle Jam Aims to Unite 1,000 Streamers for Annual Charity Event

The inception of Jingle Jam dates back to the early 2010s when Lewis Brindley and Simon Lane gained immense popularity on YouTube with their entertaining Minecraft videos through their channel, The Yogscast. As their fame grew, they started receiving gifts from fans, especially around Christmas in 2011. However, instead of accepting these gifts, they encouraged their fans to donate to charity, specifically an Oxfam charity drive and a JustGiving page, which ultimately raised a substantial amount of money. This act of kindness marked the beginning of Jingle Jam. Initially, the event was simple, with a few jokes and references, but it wasn't until 2013 that it started to gain momentum. Yogscast began collecting games that were given to donors who contributed above a certain amount, and this strategy proved successful, raising $1 million that year. The event expanded significantly in 2021, with numerous streamers participating in online streams to support the cause. According to Rich Keith, the chair of Jingle Jam, this expansion allowed the event to reach a broader audience and raise more money. Keith noted, 'More and more people started to get interested in it from a streaming point-of-view. It felt like a big opportunity, back in 2021, to say that Jingle Jam didn't have to be on just one channel, and anyone can do their own Jingle Jam stream.' This change enabled Jingle Jam to grow massively, with the goal of having 1,000 content creators participate this year. Jingle Jam became a registered charity in 2022 and focused its mission on making the world a better place for children and young people. In 2023, the funds raised supported 20,000 young people contemplating suicide, provided digital learning to 120,000 children impacted by the war in Ukraine, and contributed to various other causes. The event has raised £25 million throughout its history, with 660 streamers participating last year. This year, the charity hopes to involve over 1,000 streamers, with more than 500 already signed up. Streamers such as TommyInnit, Talia Mar, and Tubbo are set to participate, along with tentpole events like a 24-hour stream from Jack Manifold and a Magic the Gathering event with Kiwo. Keith expressed his gratitude to the industry for its support, stating that being involved in Jingle Jam not only contributes to a good cause but also offers a significant marketing benefit. Looking ahead, Keith aims to raise £5 million annually for the eight charities involved, with a long-term goal of raising £10 million. He acknowledges that the current market is challenging for fundraising, but remains optimistic about Jingle Jam's potential for growth, saying, 'We are ambitious... We want to do as much as we can to make the world a better place for children and young people.'