Over 150 cities to host Twestival Local events
Howard Lake | 23 March 2011 | News
On 24 March fundraising events will take place in over 150 cities around the world as part of Twestival Local, “the biggest global charity event ever organised through social media”.
Thousands of volunteers communicating and inspired by Twitter will put on events to raise money for charities in their local area. In addition Twestival is supporting a global fundraising initiative for Save the Children’s Japan campaign, following the earthquake and disaster there.
From one event in London 2008, Twestival has grown rapidly. Volunteers in over 200 cities have become involved, and the initiative has raised over $1.2 million.
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This week Twestival events will take place in 29 cities thoughout the UK and Ireland.
Twestival founder, Amanda Rose (@Amanda) said:
“Twestival has grown from a single tweet to the biggest synchronised charity event in the world in under three years. On Thursday, thousands of volunteers, most of whom have never met in person, will pull together amazing events as varied as the cities that host them, raising thousands for charity in the process. This is so much more than just another charity event; this is the evolution of fundraising.”
At Twestival London, Prince William’s charity Centrepoint has been selected by organisers, whilst in earthquake-hit New Zealand, Twestival Auckland has chosen to support The Red Cross branch in Christchurch. Twestival debuts this year include Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia and the Tunisian capital, Tunis.
The event will be broadcast online across the globe,with a 24-hour chain of livestreams on vokle.com that will break the world record for the most charities supported with one continuous internet broadcast. URDB.com will also host the record livestream video with a view to raising further awareness and donations.
Events had been planned in Japan, but have been abandoned follower the recent disaster. In response, Twestival has moved to support the country with a dedicated channel of fundraising for Save the Children’s Japan initiative, supported by all cities.
Sarah Brown (@SarahBrownUK), the wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and global patron of The White Ribbon Alliance said: “What I love about Twestival is the bold adventure of a new generation of volunteers who are proving that social media does support our global community and willingness to help people everywhere. The thrill of Twestival is that it amplifies the goodness of people in defiance of any cynicism.”
Twestival has secured support from tech companies who offer collaboration, donation streams and ticketing. For example, Citrix Online has offered GoToMeeting services to volunteers to help them pull events together.
Details of all Twestival Local events can be found at Twestival.com, and tickets for any of the UK events can be purchased through online ticketing and event-management platform Amiando.com.
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.