The hugely successful Rotary Global Swimarathon (RGS) enjoyed more well-deserved success after scooping the Blackbaud Digital Fundraising Award for the best use of Facebook.
RGS, organised by the Rotary Club of Grantham, Lincolnshire, launched the sponsored swim on Facebook. Over 5,000 people in over 60 countries across the world shared the message and took the plunge, raising £65,000 for Rotary’s End Polio Now eradication campaign and set a new Guinness World Record for the greatest number of people swimming at the same time (25th February, 12-1 GMT).
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the event, which involved over 10,000 people globally, is the fact that virtually all of this was organised and co-ordinated through Facebook by just one Rotary club in the UK and by a core team of just three very enthusiastic Rotary members with not one penny of the club’s money was spent on publicity.
The Blackbaud Digital Fundraising Awards, in association with UK Fundraising, celebrates people and organisations that use digital tools to fundraise in the most effective way. This year is the first year of the awards in the UK. Facebook, according to research by Visceral Business, now accounts for 64% percent of digital charity fundraising in the UK.
At the awards ceremony in London last night (9th Oct), RGS organisers Paul Wilson and Roger Graves were amazed to be awarded the trophy, especially as they were up against the MacMillan Cancer Support coffee morning, a well-established and highly respected national event. RGS secured over 3,000 votes to take home the prize.
Paul, who led the social media campaign, explains how Facebook transformed the swimarathon into a global phenomenon: “It just goes to prove the power of social networking in getting a message out to people and receiving support from all over the world. It was also amazing to see the work done by other finalists in the different categories."
RGS Event Chair Roger Graves added: “It’s fantastic to receive the award, particularly against strong competition and it just shows the strength of Rotary around the world. We must say a huge thank you for all those who took part around the world and supported our entry to the Blackbaud Digital Fundraising Awards. That support has made a difference in so many ways.
“We were amazed to be short-listed and absolutely over the moon when we were awarded the trophy. This has taken a lot of hard work from a lot of people and I would like to say again how grateful we are.”
Roger and Paul were joined by fellow Rotarian Mukesh Mulhotra who was the first to share the message about Rotary Global Swimarathon when it first appeared on Facebook.
Anyone can be part of next year’s Rotary Global Swimarathon. Register now and join in the fun as well as help eradicate polio.
For more information about Rotary, browse this website or contact your local Rotary club.
