A host of UK YouTubers have donated merchandise to an appeal to help raise money for Nepal.
The fundraiser was organised by NeonFiona and has prizes that include merchandise from Tom Ridgewell, Chris Bingham, Cherry Wallis, Bry and Evan Edinger, as well as a ukulele Dodie Clark used in the video for her original song, Paint.
Speaking with TenEighty, Fiona explained her motive behind the fundraiser. “I lived in the country for most of my teens, so when I heard the earthquake had finally hit, I knew I wanted to do something big to help. I already had the connections through YouTube and so wanted to utilise that to raise as much money as possible. It was just a natural merging of my love for charity, Nepal and YouTube.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-YwCd_OWyo
Fiona’s aim is to raise $2000 before 31 July. The money raised from the venture is being donated to the dZi Foundation, which builds schools and community buildings, as well as constructs clean drinking water systems, in settlements across Nepal.
“I’ve worked with charities for a long time and am a massive fan of charities that lay down the foundation work,” Fiona explains. “Basically, they don’t just jump in, build a house and leave. They give the money to the community and educate them on how to use it (if needed). So, instead of building the house, they’ll give them money to buy materials, teach them new techniques and leave them to it. This helps the community to become self-sustaining.
“In general, I trust what dZi will do with the funds, but I feel particularly strong about education and clean drinking water. Many children have to walk literally four hours to get to school, and so more schools and higher levels of education are so important and beneficial for these communities. They’re also working in very rural areas that aren’t receiving other help, and the Nepali government has turned to them for assistance with relief, so they’re hella legit.”
Those wishing to donate to the cause can do so via a Just Giving page Fiona has set up for the fundraiser. All donations over £5 are eligible for the competition. Once a donation has been given, donors must send a confirmation to the fundraiser’s official Twitter account – @ytfornepal – for a chance to win. All winners will be announced on 31 July.
“Your donations genuinely mean so much,” concludes Fiona. “They go further than you could imagine and we really, really appreciate it. To be abel to pull this off and make a significant contribution to the lovely people of Nepal… It means more than words, to be honest.”
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