Quit smoking, raise money: a short (online fundraising) story. Chapter 2

Yesterday I wrote about my experience of donating to our web developer Elie’s fundraising page.

Since he only sits at the other end of the office, I thought I'd ask some questions about his motivations for raising money and his feelings about it...

Why did you decide to raise money whilst quitting smoking?

Rasha, another developer, gave me the idea as she recalled Ben doing the same thing a while back (www.justgiving.com/healthybenny). Quitting smoking is hard, I’ll have to admit, but not starting again is even harder. Most smokers tend to relapse. The key here is to ensure that if I quit, I don’t start again.

From reading your personal message, the charity choice is obviously quite personal. Do you have anything to add?

I’ve meant to start raising funds for charities supporting the MND / ALS cause for a while now. I thought this would be a great way to start and at the same time try living a healthier lifestyle.

My late mother found out about her disease 6 months prior to her passing away. MND is a condition that does not forgive. On average, those affected can expect a 3 to 5 year run before it kills them. Unfortunately, my late mother’s condition was much more rapid.

Well what you’re doing is a great way to honour her memory. We’re rooting for you.

I’m interested to know – would you have done this if you didn’t work at Justgiving?

Hmm... that’s a good question. I’m not entirely sure, but I’d say yes. Since working at Justgiving I’ve been able to see how easy it is to fundraise and the impact it has.

Raising funds is generally not easy and certainly expensive for charities out there. Yes, it’s for a good cause but it’s very hard to be heard and reach the ones who are willing to help the ones in need out there in this world.

Personally, I feel my job as a fundraiser is sooo much easier. It’s not much effort I’ll have to admit. All I have to do is quit smoking and get others to support my cause. But it works, and that’s what matters.

Most people who do use the site don’t work here – any advice for them?

Hmm… First and foremost, any reason to fundraise is a good reason, however silly it might be. Fundraising doesn’t mean you have to run around the world or go to the peak of Mount Everest and back safely.

It could be as easy as setting up a Sunday lunch barbecue or a Tuesday night cooking and drinks with friends (and to attend you need to donate a minimum amount to a fundraising page).

Fundraising is a social thing and Justgiving helps that, so anyone should be able to simply pass on their fundraising page url (web address) to their friends and family, work colleagues and business partners.

I’m currently working on the new version of the site and we’re trying really hard to make that process as fun and as simple and easy as possible. It’s an exciting time for all of us here at Justgiving.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Giving is part of our genetic. As human beings, we feel the need to pass on to the next generation. And by fundraising and donating this is exactly what you’re doing, ensuring your children live a long life and a better quality one.

So you should do two things today:

1) donate to my fundraising page
2) go create a fundraising page and get others to donate to a good cause

Thanks for sharing all of that with us Elie - good luck with your fundraising!

I reckon there's a future in marketing for you ever get bored of web developing (*as if*)… Now get back to working on the next version of the site! ;-)