Digital platforms are involving people to help fight the pandemic with the hashtag.
is a digital fundraising event which brings together streamers, influencers, entertainers and the public across various platforms – such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch and Twitter – to support people after the impacts of Covid-19.
The fundraiser officially started on April 7 – World Health Day – and will most likely continue until the beginning of May. On the internet, people are sharing appreciation posts and inspiring stories towards the heroes battling the virus. By doing so, they are bringing awareness on important prevention measures but also inviting to contribute with relief funds for food, health and economic issues resulting from Covid-19.
All the donations will be collected using technology provided by Tiltify – a charity fundraising platform particularly popular among streamers – and later distributed to United Way Worldwide and many other charity foundations.
Andrea Bocelli and Lady Gaga promoting the performances
The event saw as its first participants YouTubers and Twitch streamers – like gamers Markiplier and Jacksepticeye, and animators such as Jaiden Animations – who went on long livestreams in which they simply explained the importance of the fundraiser. By only watching those videos, people all over the world managed to raise an incredible amount of donations. After their contribution, in fact, over 2,000 creators decided to participate with their own content, raising a total of $1,799,840.00 (£1,569,813.03) worldwide.
With these results and encouragement, celebrities joined the event, one of which is pop star Lady Gaga. In fact, the ‘Stupid Love’ singer is launching a benefit concert on Saturday, April 18 – the ‘One World: Together At Home’ – partnering with the WHO and Global Citizen, in response to the U.N. Foundation. The performers include a range of international artists like Andrea Bocelli, Billie Eilish, Kacey Musgraves, Lizzo and more, while the hosts will be the popular talk show presenters Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel.
In addition, the opera singer Andrea Bocelli has performed his ‘Music for Hope’ concert on Sunday evening in an empty Milan’s cathedral to send his message to the world – that is to stay home and support those who are risking their lives every day.
Many other people supported the fundraiser and even created their own on social media: for example, Instagram influencers posted various pictures where they are seen holding a poster in which they ask to stay home and help the front lines with the hashtags and .
If you’d like to take part in this event, you can visit Tiltify to send your donation or record your own story to share with the world.
Words by Gennaro Costanzo
Graphics by Katie Janes
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