The UK public have donated £1.75m via
SMS to the BBC’s Children in Need appeal!
Text donations were launched on
Monday 26th October 2009, with viewers of BBC’s the One Show being asked to
text in to support the presenter they wanted to participate in the latest
children in need challenge. Each SMS donated £5 with donations capped at seven
maximum per day.
The SMS drive was bolstered
further, as the mobile networks kindly waived their usual fees and the Treasury
confirmed that no VAT would be charged. Gift Aid was also available meaning an
additional £1.40 for every eligible £5 donation – creating a potential extra
income of over £500k.
"This is the first time BBC
Children in Need has used SMS to interact with our supporters" said Anna
Bennett, Director of Operations and Finance, BBC Children in Need. "The
donation mechanic has made it easy for our supporters to donate and has helped
us to reach a wider audience."
Text lines stay open till
midnight tonight – so hopefully SMS can help raise even more money for such a
great cause!
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