Mace sets Minecraft challenge to build The Shard for charity

Mace, famous for its iconic builds around the world, is taking on Minecraft gamers in a challenge to replicate The Shard - all to support care-experienced young people this Christmas.

A team from Mace will be playing the renowned building blocks video game during 1-12 December in a race to build the best version of The Shard, competing against other gamers and content creators, as part of the national gaming fundraiser, Jingle Jam.

Mace will once again take on the challenge of building The Shard – this time in the digital world. From the foundations up, level by level, the team will recreate London’s iconic landmark in Minecraft to raise funds for its charity partner, Become - the national charity for children in care and young care leavers. A judging panel, led by Become, will decide the best build during a live stream on Twitch on 12 December 2025.

It took three years for Mace to build the tallest building in Western Europe, completing the structure in 2012. This December, the company is attempting to build it in less than two weeks. The fundraiser promises a distinctive creative challenge, but also showcases the ingenuity behind building iconic structures, perhaps even sparking an interest in players to shape real skylines one day, translating gaming skills to real-world capabilities.

Jingle Jam unites the world’s best games, creators, and their communities for two weeks of fundraising that powers a lifetime of change, raising millions for charities who make the world better for children and young people, including Become. Anyone who donates £35 or more will have their donation to Become doubled and receive the Jingle Jam Games Collection of over fifteen video games in return.

Mace is aiming to raise £10,000, doubled to £20,000 by match funding, during their Jingle Jam fundraiser for Become.

This funding will support Become’s core work, including the programme, Propel into Work. Four in ten care leavers aged 19-21 are not employed, in education, or training (NEET), which is three times the rate for people who haven’t experienced the care system. Propel into Work provides information, opportunities, and support into work for care-experienced young people.

Jo Drummond, Mace Foundation Lead says:

“We’re proud of our partnership with Become and Jingle Jam is a great event to get more of our colleagues and networks involved in festive fundraising.

“We’re committed to supporting Become and empowering thousands of care-experienced young people with the support, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive.”

Julian Barrell, Charity Manager at Jingle Jam says:

“Jingle Jam has been fundraising every December since 2011. By partnering with Become, this is the first time Jingle Jam has explicitly supported care-experienced children and young people.

“We love companies to get involved in our fundraising festivities and we’re so excited to see what Mace can do in Minecraft this December.”

Will Robinson, Head of Fundraising at Become, says:

“We think Mace is brilliant for getting involved in Jingle Jam and fundraising for us by playing Minecraft. They’re one of our biggest supporters and a champion for care-experienced young people.

“Every child and young person needs support, stability – and love. In care, that doesn’t always happen.

“At Become, we’re here to help every single care-experienced young person, so they get the support they need.”

Can you beat Mace at their own project? Sign up to build The Shard at Jingle Jam 2025 by visiting Jingle Jam Minecraft event - Become

You can support Mace’s fundraising efforts during 1-12 December by visiting www.tiltify.com/@become/mace-fundraiser-for-become-at-jingle-jam