Thanks to Red Nose Day

The great thing about Red Nose Day is that whatever you think of what they spend the money on (would sticking to Africa be clearer?), many other Africa charities which do not get funds from the Comic Relief application process, nonetheless get a big surge in donations because Red Nose Day raises Africa's profile. Last Red Nose Day two years ago SOS Children got 19 online sponsorships from the two days of Comic Relief and this year (2009) this rose to 26. Now 26 sponsorships may not seem a lot (every child matters to us of course), but it is. Even though there has been news about charity direct debits being canceled, the DDs being canceled seem to be the ones signed under pressure on the streets. Our Direct Debits are mainly taken online, and each month well under a single percent of our direct debits and sponsorships cancel (versus 5% cancellation quoted for charities who pressure people or send junk mail). Over the years they contribute, our sponsors can see the huge difference their money is making and cancellation is consequentially rare (even though they can stop any time they want). On average a sponsor lasts for about ten years and contributes £20/month. This makes well over £2000 in total (some of the money comes from the taxman not just the donor's pocket of course). So our 26 sponsorships we hope will amount to over £50,000 in future contributions. That's £50,000 to a charity where every penny counts, in two days online. Our internet fundraising cost is well under 1p per £1 received, so the donations are very efficient and we send all the sponsorship funds abroad without deductions even for the 1p they cost. Assuming other similar charities have done as well, the back of an envelop suggests Comic Relief may have raised more for Africa charities than the 60%x£57m=£34m they raised for Africa themselves.

So Thanks, Red Nose Day for an entertaining evening and raising the profile of Africa where we work in 45 countries. And thanks most of all from the additional destitute children who will get love and support as a result of the sponsorships which were taken out as you raised the issues.