Tag Archives: Good for good’s sake

New #GFGS Fundraiser For Oldham Cats!

Me and Ginge at Oldham Cats

Me and Ginge at Oldham Cats

Back in 2013 I started a secular fundraising initiative and called it ‘Good For Good’s Sake’. The idea was a simple one; we would use our online presence to raise some funds for a charitable cause. Why? Because it would be a good thing to do, and because we could, How did we do? Well. Really really, really well.

Since its launch, Team #GFGS has raised an astonishing £25,775.83 for charitable causes. No ideological agenda was pushed, nor was anything required in return for our contributions. We were good for its own sake.

This brings me to a new fundraiser I’d like you to get behind for the coming months – this time, with a slightly furrier focus. Typically, in the past we have dedicated our efforts to large, well-supported, human-centric causes – which got me wondering; what sort of impact could Team #GFGS have on smaller charities that don’t receive as much support as WaterAid, MSF or Red Nose Day? I think we should find out. The plan would be to choose a succession of smaller charities throughout the rest of this year, in different countries, but to launch proceedings…

I’m hoping we can start by raising some money for Oldham Cats. Oldham Cats is my local cat sanctuary. I’ve visited a number of times to take food and supplies, and to generally fuss the residents. Below is me with my sponsored cat, ‘Ginge’.MeGingeFloorOldham Cats always try to rehome the cats they take in. And if they can’t, due to medical issues, or because no-one wants them? They become full-time residents, meaning they having free roam of the complex and surrounding fields. You can read their policy in full here. They give a good life, and care to animals that would not be so fortunate without their dedication and love. This, to me, is a good thing worth supporting.

I aim to visit the sanctuary throughout this fundraiser, bringing you updates and providing you with a closer look at how your money will be used. This kind of support for a smaller charity could make such a huge difference.

You can donate to this campaign by visiting the fundraising page here, where credit cards and PayPal are accepted. You can also donate via text by following the below instructions:

textgfgs

Let’s see if we can make a massive difference to a smaller charity. This fundraiser will close at the end of August.

Team #GFGS Returns – Let’s Do Something Good Again!

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Would anyone like to help me do something good again? Back in 2013 I launched ‘Good For Good’s Sake’. This came about after being overwhelmed by the level of compassion & activism displayed by those that engage in the online ‘atheist community’.

I strongly felt that if this shared camaraderie could be channelled in a charitable context, we could really help some people who needed it. As atheists we share only one thing for definite; absence of belief in gods. Our politics, cultural backgrounds and our world-views may differ. Some of you may think Michael Bay makes good films for instance. BUT. There’s one thing I feel we could all agree on: the only thing required to be good is the recognition that it is good for its own sake. We don’t do good for the promise of eternal life, or post-death reward. We don’t do good because it is a doctrinal imperative. We do good because we have empathy, and as conscious creatures, we have concerns for the well-being of our fellow primates across the globe.

With this in mind, Team #GFGS has raised a staggering £22,773.03 for charitable causes so far. We’ve done this by ourselves, without media or corporate backing. Without promoting an ideology, or indoctrinating as a condition of our good deeds. A small group of people, in an even smaller pocket of the World Wide Web came together to achieve something that will make a positive difference to many people. That has to be good, right?

This brings me on to our third charitable drive. Are you up for the challenge? I’ve decided to choose Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). Many of you will be familiar with what they do already. For those that aren’t, please see the below video and their website here.

MSF is an entirely Secular charity that delivers emergency medical aid on a global scale to those who need it the most, regardless of race, religion, creed or political affiliation. As with the last fund-raiser, this one will also end on Christmas Day 2014. Be a part of something important.  You can donate online by clicking ‘Sponsor Me’ below, or text ‘GFGS50 £5 (or any amount) to 70070. Spread the word where you can. Please keep an eye on my Twitter feed for updates. If you wish to hold an event for Team #GFGS to raise some money, please let me know!

Be good,

GS

Special thanks to @Wavish for the #GFGS logo

Click to be part of Team #GFGS

Team #GFGS raises £22,773.69 for charity in 2013

Image Created By @Wavish

What a year!  Team Good for Good’s Sakes’ WaterAid fundraising finally came to an end on Christmas day, finishing on an astonishing £11,843.03, smashing our £11,000 target goal.

This also completely obliterated our previous £10,930.66 record for Red Nose Day earlier in the year.  This brings the total amount raised for charity by Team #GFGS in 2013 to an incredible £22,773.69.

This was achieved because a significant, but by no means huge, group of people decided that contributing to charitable causes was a worthy idea for its own sake, regardless of what you do or don’t believe about anything else. This was done without media, financial or corporate support of any kind.  That’s incredible, and I think everyone who played a part should be proud of themselves.

WateraidTotalWaterAid is a fantastic organisation.  I need not waste your time explaining why access to clean water is such an imperative, so please visit them to see exactly how they will use the money to do good. From setting up sustainable water access in the poorest of places, to creating communities which are educated and trained in the skills required to maintain that infrastructure. Please consider choosing WaterAid should you be considering a charitable cause to fundraise for in the future.

I honestly didn’t think we could surpass our Red Nose Day efforts.  It’s such a pleasure and privilege to be continually surprised by the passion, intelligence, activism and good humour of those that engage with my Twitter feed.  Thank you.

A massive thank you to everyone that donated money and shared the fundraising page around. I’ve no doubt what we have achieved here together will help change lives for the better.  And why would we like to do that?  Because it’s a good thing to do.

I don’t really think about my Twitter shenanigans much further ahead than the present. This is due to understanding that my digital lifespan is also finite, with a limited shelf-life and therefore I don’t take it for granted that people will always be interested in what I have to say.  It’s for this reason that I am cautious about making plans for another charitable drive so soon, but if I’m still around in April and people are still interested I will consider setting up another cause for us to get our teeth into.  Up for the challenge?

Obviously, I understand the chances of reaching these heights again in 2014 are unlikely.  But I said that last time too.  And I’d be ecstatic to be wrong again.

Have a great New Year. Be Good

GS

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