SCI Foundation joins #GivingTuesday 2020, the global day of generosity taking place on 1st December

SCI Foundation is thrilled to announce that we’re one of the thousands of organisations taking part in this year’s #GivingTuesday campaign, to be held on the 1st of December.

#GivingTuesday began in America in 2012 as a way to give back after the well-known shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It was brought to the UK by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) in 2014 with the aim of encouraging people to think of others in the run up to Christmas.

This year #GivingTuesday offers the opportunity to #GiveBack2020 either by donating to charity, reaffirming commitment to a cause, volunteering time or supporting others by simply helping a friend, neighbour or family member.

In 2020, the global Covid-19 pandemic has caused dramatic repercussions around the world. At SCI Foundation our mission is to prevent and treat people affected by neglected infectious diseases including schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. In 2019/20, SCI Foundation supported 55% of the global treatments for schistosomiasis.

In 2019/20 alone, we supported the delivery of 61.5 million treatments against parasitic worm infections, most of which were provided to children.

In 2019 #GivingTuesday was the top trending item on UK Twitter and generated more than 487m impressions. In the UK, more than £14.2 million was raised in online donations (via Visa alone), equivalent to almost £10,000 per minute.

Wendy Harrison, SCI Foundation CEO says:

“We are delighted to take part in #GivingTuesday. It’s a great opportunity for people to show their generosity, especially at this challenging time.”

Gráinne Mathews, #GivingTuesday UK Lead at the CAF, adds:

“Charities have given us so much this year, from vital food deliveries during lockdown, to developing new ways to deliver services so they could continue to help those in need; all while struggling themselves with cancelled fundraising events and closed charity shops.

“This #GivingTuesday charities need us to be there for them, like they’ve been there for us. It is time to #GiveBack2020. It’s easy, just think of what you have – money, a voice, family, friends, followers, or time – and how that might help.”

To find out more about #GivingTuesday, and how you can get involved, visit: http://www.givingtuesday.org.uk/