From cuddly bear raffles to aid for African slum dwellers, Barnardos and Concern out campaigning

Barnardos, the charity which supports children whose well-being is under threat and campaigns for their rights, has launched its annual teddy bear raffle. Companies are asked to take a bear and raffle it to raise funds for children and families living in crisis situations.
Tickets cost €2.50 each. A winner from each company taking part in the fundraiser will be entered into a draw and have a chance of winning a holiday with Select Hotels in a location anywhere in Ireland. Last year the bears raffle raised a total of €75,000.
Ruth Guy, director of fundraising and marketing, Barnardos, was last year voted Marketer of the Year. Concern, which helps countries in the developing world, has launched a Christmas fast campaign urging people to ‘Go Hungry for Gloria’ for 24 hours.
The tag is based on the story of a six-year-old girl living in the Matahare slum in Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi. Gloria was left to look after her 18-month-old sister, Musungu and three-year-old brother, Aggrey Amwanda, after her mum was hospitalised.
Concern say there are thousands of young children like Gloria in the urban slums of Kenya. A revamped website developed in-house is the focal point of the charity’s activity. A radio and TV campaign, co-ordinated by JAA Media, will also run.