Residents of Surrey can now raise 50% extra for their community this Christmas. At the moment, the Government is contributing £1 for every £2 donated to the Community Foundation for Surrey. This means that the impact of residents' festive donations will be significantly increased and are much more likely to result in successful community projects that engage local people.

The initiative, called the Community First Endowment Match Challenge has been running in your community since March 2011. In total, the Government has pledged to donate £50 million to Community Foundations across the country. In Surrey we need to raise £1 million by April to prevent this money going back to the Treasury.

Professor Patrick Dowling, Chairman of the Community Foundation for Surrey, said: "This initiative has been designed as a challenge – so it means that local residents need to donate to their community in order to unlock the pledged contribution from government. Simply put: Surrey's community groups will lose this money if the donation target is not met".

All donations will go into endowed funds and will generate income for the community for years to come, creating a lasting legacy for residents.

To make sure Surrey doesn't miss out, residents can just donate direct to the Community Foundation for Surrey, 1 Bishops Wharf, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4RA. Alternatively you can donate online at: http://localgiving.com/surreycommfirstfund

For further information about the Community First programme please visit: http://www.cfsurrey.org.uk/give-your-community/surreys-community-first