January saw our first ever Good Cause Giveaway travel special, where supporters of good causes and charities across the UK had the chance to win a share of £1000 in donations thanks to Expedia.
Every two donations raised at one of our travel retailers automatically entered our causes into the draw. From booking flights to buying travel insurance, there were a multitude of opportunities to collect free funds as well as the chance to win extra donations with the Good Cause Giveaway, just by booking a break!
Winner
January’s top prize of £500 was won by Little Hearts Matter, a national charity offering help to anyone affected by the diagnosis of single ventricle heart condition. From initial antenatal diagnosis, through treatments and into life at home, the charity works with children, young adults and families to reduce the isolation, fear and lack of understanding created when a child is diagnosed as having half a working heart.
Runners-up
Birmingham Lions Womens American Football Team. Image GL Photography.
Birmingham Lions Women’s American Football club was one of our lucky runners up. Thanks to their supporters booking their holidays with easyfundraising in January, the club won a£100 donations.
The team was established in late 2013 and have seen huge success, lifting the National Championship trophy in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and are now preparing for their 4th season. The fundraising covers the costs of expensive equipment, which can cost up to £200 for each player. Jo Kilby, GM & Captain, said:
This very gracious £100 will go a long way to helping fund another player to get on the field. We’re delighted to have received this prize; the benefit of using easyfundraising is plain for us all to see so to receive this extra award is an extremely nice cherry on top.”
Melanie’s Mission
Melanie’s Mission also received a £100 donation. The charitable trust was created to give 27-year-old Biology student, Melanie Hartshorn, from Cramlington, a chance at life by funding the complex and specialised Neurosurgery Mel desperately needs, which is only available in the US at a cost of over £150,000. Mel suffers from a rare form of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which affects her connective tissue.
The money is a lovely surprise and will really boost Mel’s mood to know that you’ve chosen to help support her! We also hope you can help us spread the word about her desperate situation for life saving surgery, before it’s too late, and so in turn help us raise awareness of our campaign and worthy cause too!”
World Challenge 2017 – Abhishek Saha received £100 towards his World Challenge, an educational trip in Croatia.
Abhishek said:
When you get to your destination, you learn skills that will help you in the future. We will be doing trekking and camping in Croatia as well as kayaking and rafting. Easyfundraising was one of the ways I decided to raise the money. Thank you so much. This £100 will help me a lot because it gets me that extra bit closer towards my £2000 target.”
North Lakes School – Penrith
North Lakes School – Penrith will be using their £100 donation to enhance learning opportunities and experiences within school and beyond the classroom for all of their children. The donations raised through easyfundraising help towards computer equipment, playground equipment, coaches for school visits, sports kit, musical experiences, creative opportunities and residential experiences. Teacher, Martyn Soulsby said:
We are all over the moon and really grateful to easyfundraising, your partners and our supporters who raise fund for us through your site. This prize will be greatly appreciated and will help towards towards one of the experiences mentioned above.”
Walking to Save Dogs received £100. They exist to highlight and end the suffering dogs undergo in the Far East, including countries such as Cambodia, China, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. They enable small, grassroots rescue organisations to carry out their important work. Even though they are run and staffed entirely by volunteers, they need continuous financial support to function.