UNICEF UK are over the moon to announce that their new online giving website, My Fundraising, has managed to rustle up an amazing £105,000 since in launch in March 2011. That’s an astounding £10,000 a week! The new website ensures that 100% of the money you donate or sponsor is accounted for without commission, plus it’s an excellent way to set yourself up online.

It’s easy to set up your page, with simple instructions throughout the process to guide you along. UNICEF supporters that are taking part in numerous weird and wonderful fundraising activities, have found the page really useful. Alongside the bike rides and sponsored walks was the rather unconventional method of fundraising by  17-year-old Joshua Haghani from London, who has managed to raise a staggering £11,000 by reciting the first 500 digits of π (pi) from memory.

Joshua said -

I was hoping to inspire friends and family to make a contribution to UNICEF in support of bringing clean, fresh water to five villages in Malawi, but it turns out it’s me that’s been inspired by how many of you dived in to generously help this cause. Thank you.

If you would like to see how the My Fundraising page works, simply click on the link below to find out more. There’s a great deal of information not just on how to set up your own page, but also of what others are doing to help raise funds for the children’s charity.

> > Click here to visit My Fundraising website

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UNICEF charity officials have released startling figures that show some 100 million children are living on the world’s streets. The majority of the number sleeping rough are from the developing world. The majority of these poor souls ages range from 5 to 17 years old, with many of them begging to survive.

In South Africa alone there are some 13,000 children living and working on the streets. The South African government has now launched a new national strategy to comply with the Children’s Act, aimed at caring for street dwellers and their needs for shelter, medicine, food and education. With many of the children roaming the streets alone, this has seem many of them fall into drugs, crime and prostitution, simply as a way to survive the daily pitfalls of life on the street.

South Africa’s Minister of Women, Children and People with Disability, Lulu Xingwana, said -

The strategy also ensures that children who may be addicted, children who may still be very young and even those not so young get relevant care.  We have to act to those problems.

Those in South Africa who are identified as problem children will be placed in special programmes to help them recover from the undue stress and suffering they have found from living hand to mouth. The newly developed programmes will also see more children re-united with their families, and where this is not possible, be housed in development centres where they can try and find there feet. Hopefully more countries across the globe will follow South Africa’s lead and step up their fight against child poverty…

100 million children on the world’s streets are praying for it

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UNICEF UK are asking you to help them raise much needed funds for their work both at home and abroad, by joining them on one the the most picturesque half marathons in the world. The 12 mile Royal Parks Half Marathon will be taking place in London on Sunday 9th October 2011, and you too can be part of the fun if you so wish. The run itself kicks off in Hyde Park, and then takes in -

• St James’ Park
• Green Park
• Kensington Gardens

whilst giving spectators and competitors magnificent views of Buckingham Place and the Houses of Parliament, as Big Ben cheers on the runners. Running in aid of UNICEF childrens charity is fun and easy to do, and until the end of June 2011 the registration fee has 50% off at just £15!

All you need to do is register and raise £550 to take part, but with UNICEF’s fundraising tips they’re sure to steer you in the right direction. You will receive a free running vest or t shirt on the day, plus there will be loads of refreshments available, and even a free massage! If you think you would like to get involved then simply click on the link below to register. There’s loads of time to get in training and raise funds, so why not sign up today and help UNICEF help the world’s children.

> > Click here to register today

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The royal wedding certainly caused a stir this year, and the two real stars of the show were not Wills and Kate, but Pippa Middleton and Princess Beatrice’s hat! Designed by milliner to the rich and famous, Phillip Treacy, this zany creation caused almost as big a stir as the Royal kiss on the balcony.

Being the good sport that she is, Princess Beatrice has decided to auction her royal wedding hat on bay, with the money being raised split between the UNICEF charity and Children in Crisis to help with their ongoing work with children both home and abroad.

Princess Beatrice said -

I’ve been amazed by the amount of attention that hat has attracted. It’s a wonderful opportunity to raise as much money as possible for two fantastic charities. I hope whoever wins the auction has as much fun with the hat as I have.

Philip Treacy’s creations have seen the runway for such fashion luminaries as Givenchy, Chanel and Valentino, and created the hats for the Harry Potter series of films. Another interesting fact is that I used to play football against his brother Paul, but I guess that is only interesting to me!

Director of Fundraising at UNICEF UK, Julie Weston, said -

We are thrilled that Princess Beatrice is putting all the publicity around her hat to the best possible use, raising money for the world’s most vulnerable children. We take our hat off to her for helping to change children’s lives.

The auction can be found at www.ebay.co.uk/royalhat, and will finish on Sunday 22nd May 2011. The hat currently has 60 bids, with the current asking price at £18,400, although the postage is free! Not sure I’m be making a late move on that item, though it’s a fantastic idea to use one of the royal wedding talking points to help two of the UK’s leading childrens charities. Well done Princess Bea, but it’s got me thinking…

I wonder how much Pippa Middleton would go for on ebay?!

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UNICEF charity officials are currently working on the frontline to provide aid to the hundreds and thousands of families who have had to flee their homes due to the incessant fighting in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). This video shows the first UNICEF supplies arriving to be distributed to those directly effected by the conflict which is a causing a mass exodus out of the war torn country.

UNICEF staff will now work tirelessly to tend to the thousands of people who are desperately in need of food, water, warmth and medicine. The situation is currently so dangerous, that the charity workers had to hide within their safe confines due to fear of attack. With thousands of children now without shelter, UNICEF need you support more than ever.

Their work on the front line of the world’s conflicts can only happen thanks to your generosity. If you think you could help provide funds to aid their lifesaving plight, please give generously. Thank you.

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David Beckham is asking everyone to help celebrate his birthday this year by purchasing a charity gift with UNICEF UK. His birthday, on Monday 2nd May 2011, is the perfect opportunity to help someone less fortunate than yourself by ordering a UNICEF Inspired Gift, you can even buy a football!

As a UNICEF Ambassador, David has seen how a gift as simple as a football can help to bring impoverished communities together. So why not make a difference to someone’s life today and help make a brand new start with a UNICEF Inspired Gift?

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UNICEF charity officials are still fighting the acute malnutrition that is affecting almost 25% off all children under the age of five in the Sindh Province in South Pakistan. Since the floods first struck in late July 2010, the crisis continues to grow as the childrens charity carry out their life saving work with the Government.

Due to a continued levels of extreme poverty combined with poor diet and sanitation, UNICEF truly have their work cut out for them in this district of the flood ravaged country. If you think you could help provide funds to aid the people of Pakistan please give generously to aid the continual work of UNICEF across the globe.

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UNICEF UK has extended the registration deadline for those that want to sign up for the amazing Trek for the Children of Jordan. You can now still show interest in this once in a lifetime experience until Monday 14th February 2011, in what promises to be an amazing journey from Finan to Petra.

The trek will be taking place between 8-16th May 2011 and will be taking in all the mesmerising beauty that Jordan has to over. This is an amazing chance to not only visit one of the most stunning landscapes in the world, but also raise much needed funds to help the UNICEF children’s charity with their vital work with the children of Jordan.

To take part you will need to raise at least £2,600, with a deposit of £295. UNICEF will provide you with full support in helping you reach your target, with loads of helpful training tips too. Simply click on the link below if you fancy helping the children of Jordan and UNICEF on their journey towards a brighter future.

> > Click here to enquire about Jordan trek

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UNICEF UK has put together a great video highlighting their work through what proved to be a very testing 12 months in 2010. With the Haiti earthquake and the flooding in Pakistan causing huge upheaval to millions of people, UNICEF has been working tirelessly on the front line of some of the world’s biggest disaster areas.

UNICEF children’s charity will endeavour to continue coming to the aid of people in crisis across the globe in 2011. Thanks to your kind donations, UNICEF is able to respond instantly to any emergency, no matter where it is in the world.

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Now, I’m not Father Christmas, and nor do I intend or pretend to be. I will admit though that it has been noted that I do have a rather rotund demeanour and a beard you could lose a badger in. I like to think of these points as a way of bringing festive cheer to people all year round, for what is a beard if it doesn’t bring happiness to your friends and loved ones?

Anyway, I digress. Now is the perfect time to be thinking of purchasing a few interesting presents for your friends and loved ones, and whether they have a beard or not, everyone deserves something a bit special at Christmas. We at Donation4Charity have a vast array of charity gift ideas that will allow you to bring something different to the table this year, as surely the thought of more socks cannot be filling anyone with the very elixir of Yuletide spirit ( though I don’t mind a pair of Pringle myself!)

A charity gift is an interesting way to show someone that not only do you care for them, but also that you care for those who are less fortunate across the world. The funds raised from your purchases help your chosen charities to provide relief to some of the world’s poorest people…

it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

We have hundreds of charity gift ideas available for your perusal, but I have personally chosen 10 of my favourite gifts to give this year (and not a stick-on beard in sight!)

• WWF Adopt an Animal
  One of the most popular charity gifts for young and old is the adopt an animal scheme from WWF. This costs as little as £3 a month and the recipient will receive a cuddly toy, certificate, greetings card and of course provide funds to help save your choice of animal’s species and habitat.
• Cows ‘n’ Things from AGE UK
  Why not purchase an online gift from Cows ‘n’ Things, the only charity focusing on the needs of older people in developing countries. Each virtual gift comes with a personalised e-card, or you could even have it delivered by post, just like they used to do in the olden days!
• Oxfam Unwrapped
  Choose from a great selection of virtual gifts this Christmas, and if you spend £5 or more before 2nd January 2011 you will receive a £5 off voucher for Pizza Express. You can’t say fairer than that, so why not grab a ‘pizza’ the action (I know, terrible!)
• Centrepoint Gifts
  This new and exciting virtual gift range helps young homeless people find their feet by providing a hot meal, shelter and education. Christmas can be a lonely and dangerous time for those living on the street, so a Centrepoint gift truly is a present that keeps on giving.
• Cancer Research Gift Shop
  This cracking online shop offers an amazing array of gift cards, wrapping and most importantly, presents, this Christmas whilst providing the funds to help Cancer Research’s life saving work. Plus you can receive 10% off all order before 31st December 2010 if you add the voucher code 10TGN0017 at the online checkout, plus free delivery on all orders over £50.
• National Trust Membership
  With the UK looking so magical during the winter months, now is a fantastic time to visit some of the National Trust’s 300 historic houses and over 600,000 acres of countryside. Great Britain has a truly unique national heritage that is unsurpassed anywhere on the planet, and the gift of a National Trust membership is the perfect present for people to explore some of the UK’s most prestigious sites. Plus if you pay by direct debit you can now receive 12 months for the price of 9. A great value gift.
• Present Aid
  These great gifts are ‘virtual’, so they make the perfect last minute present. There’s a whole host of gifts to choose from that will help people who are less fortunate than yourself. Whether it’s a goat, a meal for 80 children or just a simple football, your donation will go a long way in helping change the lives of people who are desperate need of your help.
• Sponsor a Puppy with Guide Dogs for the Blind
  From just £5 a month, you can provide a loved one with a gift that will truly help someone without sight to live a fulfilling life thanks to the aid of a guide dog. The recipient will receive a gift certificate, an exclusive calendar, plus regular updates on how their puppy is progressing during its training and subsequent initiation into a person’s life.
• RSPB Membership
  The festive season sees a wide range of colourful birds come out to play, and what better way to enjoy the British countryside than with an RSPB membership? This great gift entitles the holder free entry to over 100 RSPB nature reserves across the UK, plus a free joining gift, a quarterly magazine, plus loads of extra bits for children.
• UNICEF UK Shop
  This online gift shop has an amazing selection of presents for young and old, whether it is a babies bib, an Adidas football or a friendship bracelet. All UNICEF Gifts provide the funds to allow this amazing charity the ability to help children across the globe. Plus if you order today you can now receive ’3 for 2′ on Christmas Cards.

So there you go, those are my top ten choices of charity gifts this year available through the Donation4Charity website. Have I chosen these because I would like someone to buy them for me? Yes. Am I selfishly, sort of writing a letter to Santa in the hope he reads this via the wonderful worldwide web? Yes. Will I receive any of those gifts for Christmas? I hope so, I’ve made it pretty clear what I want!

> > Click here for other charity gift ideas

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