In an Australian and global fundraising first, Australians will be asked to give just $1 to help reduce inequities in children’s health and education around the world. 1$day campaign, a simple and innovative fundraising event will be held on Thursday 20 October 2011.

A dollar from those who can to those who can’t : Donate 1$ towards the 1$day campaign held on Thursday 20 2011

Sydney parents Sophie Bartho and Rob Wilcher created the initiative after feeling compelled to act after realising the huge gaps in health, education, food and safety resources for over eight million kids worldwide and in the world’s charitable giving.

“As a parent of three lucky children who sleep in a warm bed, a safe home, and enjoy a great education and nourishing food, I asked why some children have so much, while so many have so very little of basic things like safety, education and food,” said Bartho.

“Eight million children die every year from preventable diseases, 67 million school-aged children are not in school and charities do not have enough money to help them all.

“In a single day we could begin to turn these statistics and inequities around, improving the health and education of children in some of the world’s poorest communities. On 1$day we’re asking everyone who can, to give $1 for those who can’t, regardless if you earn $1 million as a CEO, or $2 pocket money.”

Australian actress Susie Porter has thrown her weight behind the cause, encouraging Australians to give a helping hand to children in need.
“I feel honoured to be part of 1$day. It’s simple, effective and represents true value. I love that anyone can easily get involved and make a real difference,” Porter said.

The money raised through 1$day will be directed towards charities and development organisations that can demonstrate and measure the impact their programs have on reducing the global inequities in children’s health and education.

The principal recipient charity for 2011, Save the Children is working to build health clinics in Laos, each of which provides services to between five and eight local villages or around 3,000-4,000 people.

“In remote regions and developing nations such as Laos, providing these accessible health services can literally change and save lives,” said Bartho.

“The clinics provide maternal and child health services, overnight stays, and dispensaries, increasing a child’s likelihood of surviving their first year by 75% above the national average.”

Bartho acknowledged that Australians are great at giving and participation, but said more needs to be done in the face of tough financial times and expensive fundraising.

“We are a generous nation with more than we need relative to the rest of the world, yet despite the woes of the GFC and the tightening of budgets, children are still suffering and we have the capacity to do more collectively.

“We wanted to devise a fundraising event that would have a huge impact, which everyone could be involved in, and which doesn’t rely on merchandise that erodes the amount of money that reaches those directly in need,” Bartho said.

“We wanted to create an event that helped fundraise in a more simple, inclusive and impactful way.

“That’s why on 1$day, we’ll be asking everyone for just $1.”

“We are also looking for 1$day Champions across Australia including community leaders, groups or schools who can rally their local community and networks to give $1 on 1$day,” said Bartho.

“There is wisdom and truth in ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and we believe our village is global.”

Learn more about the 1$day campaign by clicking below.

To make your contributon and spread the word to friends, family and colleagues please visit www.onedollarday.org