Released on: July 07, 2011, 4:46 pm
Author:
Research Now Ltd
Industry:
Non Profit
Research Now Ltd has announced that together with Valued Opinions panellists from across the globe, it has raised £12,400 for the Jap anise Tsunami/Earthquake relief effort.
In March 2011, Japan was hit by a shattering, magnitude 9.0 earthquake. The tremor, which occurred 20 miles underwater, triggered a huge tsunami that swept across the eastern coast of Japan, destroying everything in its path and killing over 15,000 people*.
Joining in the generous global response, Research Now Ltd, owners of the Valued Opinions' panels, made an initial donation of £3000. Throughout April, Research Now Ltd offered members of its UK opinion panels, along with those from the US, Australia, Canada and Japan panels, the opportunity to convert their Valued Opinions rewards into cash donations to The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, a charity supporting Japan's recovery. Big-hearted donors gave up shopping rewards for vital contributions to the relief efforts in a country that is still staggering from the impact of this disaster 3 months on. The initiative saw Valued Opinions' members raise an impressive £9,400 throughout the 4 week campaign, which was then added to Research Now's contribution of £3,000.
These donations have has been invaluable in propping up the work of the Japanese Red Cross Society as it provides vast-scale medical assistance, water and sanitation and psycho-social programming. The charity reports that, as well as running the only functioning Hospital in the Miyagi prefecture and vital first-aid stations in Kamaishi, it has used the funds to help mobilise 677 medical teams, which have already treated 63,567 patients. Addressing the huge mental trauma facing survivors, the charity has also established psychological support centres in two prefectures, deploying 300 staff who have benefitted over 6,000 people to date.**
A recent Valued Opinions online survey found that the most popular way for the British respondents to give is through sponsoring someone to participate in a fundraising event (19%), followed by making monthly cash or direct debit donations to charity (13%) and donating to charity via a street worker (11%). Overall, an impressive total of 51% of the British respondents choose to support charities financially, whether donating through charity websites, street workers, monthly donations or sponsorship.
In April 2011, Valued Opinions UK panellists' generosity has helped to bring relief to a desperate situation. Regarding the Valued Opinions Tsunami Campaign, Research Now's vice president, panel marketing and CRM, Thomas Lapperger commented: "I'm very proud to be involved in a series of campaigns that see Valued Opinions and our members working together to contribute towards worthy causes. Earning credits through online surveys UK participation and then claiming vouchers is a rewarding experience. Donating those credits instead to the Red Cross, who are helping Japan recover following the devastating tsunami, provides for a deeper and more meaningful rewarding experience. I would like to thank all members of Valued Opinions UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan for their participation in surveys. In particular, my gratitude goes to those who donated generously to the Valued Opinions Tsunami campaign."
Notes to Editors:
* According to the NPA website.
** From newsletter sent to Valued Opinion Panellists by Japanese Red Cross Society
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