I believe it is important to get a balanced picture of the world right now, the good, the bad and the ugly. It is a rarer sight indeed to see something positive being done because it gets shrouded by the negativity we see online and in the media on a regular basis. Thanks to an increase in social awareness and social media campaigns though, we have seen a huge increase in people getting involved in charity, which is really heart-warming to see.
There are always many charities campaigning at this time of year; there is something about the season of goodwill and sharing with our loved ones that makes people want to get involved more than they would normally, which is never going to be a bad thing! I just wanted to take a moment to look at some of the many wonderful ways you can get involved in charity these days.
Social Media Campaigns
There have been a few really popular digital charity campaigns over the last few years that have really captured the social media generation, such as Movember: being sponsored to grow a moustache for the month of November to raise money for the Movember Foundation, who deal with a number of men’s health issues; and Dry January – being sponsored to go alcohol-free for the month of January to raise money for Alcohol Change UK.
Another recent campaign that was actually banned from TV but went viral was an Iceland advert about palm oil, which originated from a Greenpeace advert. Regardless of the source, the online traction this campaign saw was incredible.
Raising money for charity has never been so accessible, which is fantastic.
Ongoing Charity and Sponsorship
It is commonplace to see charity advert campaigns on TV asking for regular sponsorship to help those in need, whether this is children, animals or for an ongoing crisis that is devastating lives around the world. These campaigns are often hard-hitting because they deal with the very issues that we hope to never have to deal with ourselves.
I have recently seen a campaign that focused on helping the homeless, with essential supplies being delivered into the rough sleeper community by a group of young Muslims’, which I thought was a wonderful idea. In Islam, charity is a huge part of everyday life and I have recently found out what zakat is and means for Muslims; zakat is an obligation to share wealth to those less fortunate in their time of need, and focuses on purification and growth of the body and mind. This kind of ongoing charity is brilliant to see and opens up your eyes and hearts to the good that can be done.
Charity Shops
Charity shops have long been a staple on our high streets. Thanks to a number of influential celebs endorsing ‘thrift shops’ over the last few years, though, the humble charity shop has found a resurgence in popularity – but there is always more that can be done. Not only are these shops a haven for hidden gems, you might be surprised at the quality and selection available – and you’re doing your bit for a good cause, too. So, next time you’re after a book or are simply looking for an afternoon of adventuring with the kids, why not visit a charity shop and see what you can find!