# From Cash Mobs to Cause Mobs

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/07/09/could-slowly-growing-craze-cash-mobs-inspire-cause-mobs/
- Published: 2013-07-09T14:40:18+01:00
- Author: John Thompson

**A “cash mob” involves a group of people coming together _en masse_ to spend an
agreed amount at a local independent shop. Often organised via Twitter, the idea
is to promote the importance of shopping locally and give an unsuspecting shop owner
a welcome boost and a splash of publicity.**

For example, last week, on Retail Independents’ Day (4^(th) July), community action
group **We Will Gather**, organised a cash mob to encourage people to shop in Rochdale’s
town centre, much to the delight of local traders. Back in May, 20 cash mobbers,
each with £20 ready to spend, gave the owner of Sheels Books for Children a welcome,
though tear-jerking, financial boost. The Enfield Independent reported the owner’s
response as: “When I realised what was happening I was totally shocked and surprised.
I welled up and tears started coming down my face.”

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 [⌊#wewillgather cash mob in Worthing⌉](https://www.flickr.com/photos/danthompson/8755349630/in/photolist-ekFspY-dojHVo-bDwky4-eeyvNZ-dpvvHK-bDwk1R-nk37WX-drUtAL-drUsDC-drUjhZ-hpjW8T-drUkd4-drUt5S-drUsKw-drUtPw-drUjnt-drUt9u-drUjNg-drUkgp-drUk8F-drUsq1-drUskf-drUucq-drUsQ9-drUuCQ-drUkQt-drUkyz-drUmiD-drUuy3-drUmye-bqBpif-drUk4n-drUmHv-drUuhE-drUtTs-drUmbF-drUtds-dpvD6f-bqBoSj-drUtvu-dpvDX5-dpvtwV-drUjHc-dpvK9N-eeywMa-eeEfi1-eeywta-eeyx4z-dpvuFa-bDwjPz)

Whilst initially slow to take off this side of the pond, cash mobs appear out of
nowhere on a regular basis throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Some groups plump for
a “guerrilla giving” slant on the craze, unleashing a simultaneous stimulation of
generosity on a local cause. Something that I reckon our network of fabulous [charity shops](http://www.charityretail.org.uk/locator.php),
_where bargains can be found all year round_, could be taking advantage of!

Indeed, as well as making _en masse _purchases,  mobbers could also donate high 
quality stock at the same time; perhaps unwanted goods they’ve replaced during the
likes of [Black Friday](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30228733)?

It’s so simple: People gather, give and get. Everybody wins!

So, whether your charity has just one or 400 retail outlets, it could be a good 
time to start a new fundraising trend and encourage your individual and corporate
supporters to organise a cash mob.  Or call it a “cause mob” if you like.

So what are you waiting for?

[http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/john-thompson/0/898/a5](http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/john-thompson/0/898/a5)

[@jtchangingbiz](http://www.twitter.com/@jtchangingbiz)

Main image: [Rob van Esch](http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-560575p1.html?cr=00&pl=edit-00)/
[Shutterstock.com](http://www.shutterstock.com/editorial?cr=00&pl=edit-00)