Ireland’s mobile operators O2, Vodafone, Meteor and 3, via the Irish Cellular Industry Association (ICIA), have raised €78,000 for the relief efforts in Haiti through a text-based fundraising initiative.
Launched last week, customers of each of the operators have been donating €5 to either UNICEF or Concern via text message.
The campaign runs until midnight on Sunday, 31 January, and the charities are hoping that the initiative will raise €100,000.
Liz Yeates, head of corporate fundraising at Concern Worldwide, said: “Concern needs support to help 150,000 people in Haiti. A €5 donation will buy a blanket or high-energy biscuits for people left with nothing due to the devastating earthquake.”
Mobile-phone users can support either UNICEF or Concern’s Haiti Appeals by texting either UNICEF or Concern to 57500. Every cent of the €5 will go to the charities to support their efforts in Haiti. When a customer donates €5 by sending a text to the shortcode, they will receive two text messages in return confirming their donation.
“We’ve had a fantastic response to the texting campaign, and it has raised vital funds for our work in Haiti,” said Melanie Verwoerd, executive director at UNICEF Ireland.
“With this support, UNICEF can provide children with lifesaving support and protection every day. With only a few days before the end of the campaign, we urge those who haven’t had a chance yet to get texting today – every text will help us save and rebuild children’s lives,” Verwoerd said.
By John Kennedy
Photo: Mobile operators O2, Vodafone, Meteor and 3, via the Irish Cellular Industry Association, have raised €78,000 to help relief efforts in earthquake-devastated Haiti through a text-message campaign
