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The Association of Guernsey Charities is challenging island residents to use their imaginations and come up with home-based sponsored activities to raise funds for local organisations.
Those taking part in the Great Community Challenge can set up a fundraising page on Giving.gg, with details of what they have decided to do and which charity donations will support.
"We know that many charities are suffering at the moment as they have had to cancel vital fundraising events for the months ahead," said Chairman of the AGC, Malcolm Woodhams. "Additionally, some organisations are having to work even harder providing essential care and services around the island.
"Whilst we all need to remain at home for the moment, we would like the community to start thinking up some creative and fantastic sponsored events. We're sure that some islanders will be particularly resourceful and there will be some very unusual fundraising opportunities, which can be shared through Facebook and Twitter for friends, family and colleagues to sponsor.
"Whilst the activity must be safe to undertake, this is an opportunity to use the power of social media to provide a much needed boost to our island's voluntary sector."
There are currently 92 Bailiwick charities registered to Giving.gg and fundraisers will be free to choose the organisations they would like to support.
The local site is designed, built and administered by volunteers, so it doesn't charge any setup fees or deduct any funds from donations - unlike most other fundraising platforms. If a donation is made by card, the only deduction is the card processing fee by the bank.
It was created by the Association of Guernsey Charities to help local charities make the most of donations. The facility was launched in 2016 and has seen more than 6,000 individual donations, totalling around £250,000.
Some charities have set up their own specific 'corona virus support' fundraising pages, and the association is contacting all its member charities this week to ask about their funding concerns for 2020.
Pictured: The Association of Guernsey Charities recently launched its new brand.
"Charities are fundamentally important in our islands, but they rely on donations and fundraising to survive," added Mr Woodhams. "However, it is clear that many events are currently having to be cancelled. Furthermore, there are many sponsored activities that are no longer going ahead.
"Consequently, this year many charities are expected to face a major funding predicament which could potentially mean affecting their operation. We urgently need to form a view on how great this problem will be and how much it will affect our island's charities and the services that they offer."
Charities are being asked to feed back details on their anticipated shortfall by emailing the Association of Guernsey Charities on mail@charity.org.gg, as quickly as possible.
Any charities that are experiencing an urgent or critical funding crisis – particularly if that could affect the delivery of vital care or services in the short term – should also contact the association, which will help to find the support they need.
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