Various social media platforms have given charity work a more amplified voice in recent years. Social media is an interconnected web of contacts that is an invaluable resource when working to minimise costs and maximise fundraising for some fantastic causes, particularly locally here in Northern Ireland.
The Michaela Foundation
The Michaela Foundation is probably one of the fastest growing charitable groups in Ireland in terms of reputation and the incredible work being carried out. It is clear to see the popularity through a charity that has promoted themselves primarily through social media channels, with almost 29,000 likes on Facebook and 14,023 followers on Twitter at the time of writing. It is truly an inspirational charity, particularly for girls for whom many events are organised by as well a prestigious student scholarship award. The legacy of the young woman who inspired the charity is admirable and is sure to continue for many years to come. Their social media engagement has been an undoubted success due to the massive positive response received which captured the hearts and imagination of many, particularly in GAA circles.
The Match for Michaela promotional campaign was carried out primarily by social media and was the reason that such a large crowd turned out on the night for the occasion and the drive behind selling the commemorative jersey. The shares and retweets carried the message of the charity across the country and indeed the world. Charities such as this one with a positive message that engages the online audience on an emotional level will initiate the call to action and bring out the very best in us all. Social media provides an excellent cost effective platform for local charities to become great success stories.
Errigal 250 – Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter
In terms of fundraising events, charities have sustained the innovative momentum from expanding into social media by becoming more imaginative with fundraising events, unique to what has gone before. The latest fundraiser close to home is the ‘Errigal 250’, a charity cycle challenge that on the 17th – 18th August will see participants ranging from cycling club members, to GAA stars past and present and those of which who may not have been on a bike since they were the height of the handlebars! A social media campaign has been started recently to engage in promoting the event. Due to the accelerating popularity of cycling in the region, this event is sure to be a great success and will generously donate funds raised from registering to The Michaela Foundation and Marie Curie Cancer Care. Although the idea has been founded on the basis of the powerful relationship between the GAA community, people from all walks of life are welcome to take part. Social media will play a powerful part in communicating the progress of the event and in the past few days the number of ‘likes’ and ‘follows’ have increased rapidly, if you haven’t already, go ahead and check them out now.
St Ciaran’s Peregrini- Find them on Facebook, follow on Twitter and tune into #followfrank on YouTube
Another local charitable organisation that was founded by staff and pupils at my old secondary school St Ciaran’s Ballygawley, called St Ciaran’s Peregrini. The charity was founded in my last year at the school and has grew from strength to strength since then, every year sending a collective of staff, pupils and local volunteers out to Mulenga, a small village in Zambia. This year gives an example of just how innovative you can get with social media. Frank McNelis, known well locally in the parish, has set off on an ambitious adventure across continents on a motorbike from St Ciaran’s Ballygawley to St Ciaran’s Mulenga. This admirable quest has been recorded in episodic format for a dedicated YouTube channel that has entertained along every step of the way thus far and again, brought out the goodness in everyone involved with generations donations to the charity. St Ciaran’s Peregrini also have a Just Giving page to accept online donations. There is also a useful mobile donation method where you can simply text your donation, acknowledging the influence and potential of mobile in promoting charitable causes. This type of online innovation opens up an even easier way for people to donate and it is an excellent feature for charities such as this to take advantage of.
Finally, the most innovative and creative use of social media in creating an event supporting a charity that I have seen in recent times has to be The Social Experiment. Major organisation in the digital marketing industry such as DANI, Google, Twitter, The Web Bureau and the collective networking group that is the Digital Exchange are involved in the inception of this initiative in support of local charity Cancer Focus Northern Ireland. Their goal is to work in teams of 2 in a race from the starting point in Malin Head to the finish at Mizen Head using only their social media contacts to get them from A to B. They are permitted to ask for basic provisions such as food and drink, a place to stay and a lift. Personally I’m not sure how they’ll get on at the starting point for I’m sure that the reception up at Malin Head could be ropey enough, but I wish all the participants the very best of luck and I will be keen to see how they get on after they set off on the 27th of April. Again, this creative event has brought out the good in people locally and nationally, with massive media coverage and generous donations to the cause. They too have a Just Giving page for online donations and this facility should certainly be used across the board for all charities operating in the modern digital era.
The Social Experiment – Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter
It is fantastic to see the innovative work of charitable organisations encapsulating their ideals and organisational ambitions through effective engagement on social media. It is also reassuring to see the sheer generosity and good nature in society in still actively contributing to charities, even in times of economic hardship. The power of the online social collective to grow and expand the reach of the charities’ messages is astounding and I hope it continues to be the trend in future. I am certainly looking forward to upcoming events that are evolving into some of the most exciting and imaginative occasions ever witnessed, all for a good cause.
