A raft of charities are staging innovative online campaigns focused around Valentine’s Day this weekend.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact on fundraising, online campaigning has been vital to charity efforts to use the day to attract donations and raise their profile.
#ShowLondonLove
This has included a romantic themed campaign by London’s Air Ambulance Charity.
It has teamed up with 'Richard', a chef and paramedic, to create “a stunning restaurant style menu” for couples. This is being promoted with the hashtag #ShowLondonLove.
Valentine’s Day is going to be a little different this year but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be a special occasion. Together with our talented chef & paramedic Richard, we've created a stunning restaurant style menu so you can have a special night at home and #ShowLondonLove pic.twitter.com/ShJ2uM6fXO
— London's Air Ambulance Charity (@LDNairamb) February 5, 2021
In addition, the charity has partnered with London bar manager Alessandro Palazzi to make an exclusive cocktail.
The charity is asking people to make a donation to the charity when sending an e-card this Valentines Day.
Zoom life drawing
Meanwhile, Zoom is being deployed for a Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Valentine’s Day fundraiser.
This sees the charity team up with Wild Life Drawing to run life drawing classed using the video conferencing platform Zoom on 14 February, with rescue dogs as models.
During the day artist Jennie Webber and Battersea Rehoming and Welfare Manager, Becky Ladder will talk about the work the charity is carrying out to help rescue animals.
Love in lockdown can be tricky, but this #ValentinesDay we've teamed up with @WildDrawing to offer a virtual date with a difference. 😍 On 14 February, join a special online life drawing class with some of our dashing rescue dogs acting as models 👉 https://t.co/qM4idBMhOS pic.twitter.com/pHXTkcoGZ0
— Battersea (@Battersea_) February 10, 2021
“Valentine’s Day is all about love and we know the love of our rescue pets has rescued many of us over the past year,” said Ladder.
“Whether you’re looking for a lockdown date with a difference with your Valentine, need a fun activity to entertain the kids or you’re just looking for something fun to do with friends, by taking part in this life drawing class, you can help support rescue dogs and cats and show them a little love in these uncertain times.”
Supporter-led fundraising
Charity supporters are also looking to use Valentine’s Day to help their favourite good causes. This includes Valentines for the NHS, which has been set up by brand marketer Claire Ruddock and is calling for people to raise money for NHS Charities Together, rather than buy cards and flowers for their loved one.
Make it rain 💙💙💙 this Feb 14th. Make the #nhs your valentine.
— Valentines For The NHS 💙 (@valentinesNHS) February 10, 2021
In aid of @NHSCharities.#lovetheNHS#NHSblueheart #ourNHSpeople https://t.co/lJ0wPl90xD pic.twitter.com/rRZxhZ4SG7
Her JustGiving page says: “True love is self-sacrifice. NHS staff are sacrificing so much to get us through this pandemic, risking their physical and mental health for us every day.
“The situation during this current wave of the pandemic is beyond brutal - back breaking, spirit crushing, health impacting, stuff of nightmares and war zones work. There’s already been a year of it and there’s still months of it to come. They have chosen us over themselves.
“We can choose them this February and make them our valentines.”
So far more than £3,000 has been raised.
Valentine’s concert
Elsewhere, a virtual Valentine’s Day concert is being staged by Music Makes Memories to raise funds for Sheffield based Weston Park Cancer Charity.
Everyone welcome to Music Makes Memories for Valentine's Day & @WPCancerCharity with amazing @JMBsinger Event kindly sponsored by @soarcommunity & People Keeping Well- sponsor @NWSsolicitors Please RT @sheffcare @CareTwelve @HelpSheffield @NHSSheffieldCCG @EndLonelinessUK pic.twitter.com/yyMLs01SDX
— Kathy Markwick (@kathymarkwick) February 8, 2021
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