GettyAs everyone gets super excited about the prospect of receiving their first plastic bank note a new social media campaign has gone viral…
The #firstfiver hashtag has been trending on Twitter encouraging the public to donate their first polymer fiver to the charity of their choice, reports Charity Digital News.
GettyCharities are being urged to get online and back the push after the new £5 note, which is made of polymer, entered circulation last week.
The initiative seems to have started after John Thompson, a fundraising consultant at Changing Business, tweeted asking people to give away their first new note to a good cause.
I'll donate the first new five pound note I get to a charity. Will you?
#fivergiver— Johnny Five (@JTCHANGINGBIZ) September 16, 2016
And it seems like the idea caught on as people started spreading the message across various social media using tags Popular tags including #firstfiver, #givefive and #fivergiver.
? #firstfiver #fivergiver initiative ? I've donated mine to @CatsProtection ?? @EmilyCasson you'll love this social campaign! #cats
— Rebecca (@RebeccaWorth6) September 20, 2016
Got my #firstfiver today. Donated £10 to @guidedogs as promised @ioftweets ? pic.twitter.com/rWDTOW1lQI
— Miss B (@Brys08) September 20, 2016
They say you can do a lot with the new plastic fivers. How about donating yours to charity? #givefive #firstfiver pic.twitter.com/GNnvNu3H0I
— Ceri Edwards (@jceriedwards) September 17, 2016
Love this idea #firstfiver https://t.co/Pygg9MEagy
— Jason Harrison-Miles (@JasonTHarrison) September 20, 2016
I like this idea from @ioftweets – Give your first new plastic fiver to charity. Not seen one yet, but will give mine. #firstfiver #charity
— Dan Fletcher (@DMAFletcher) September 17, 2016
Just donated my #firstfiver to @womensaid. (To donate £5, text the word FREE to 70500 – https://t.co/4ix5wpBjaw) https://t.co/98hzOIoCBJ
— Madeleine Sugden (@madlinsudn) September 19, 2016
I am giving my first plastic fiver to @childrensociety to work with more YP who need our support #firstfiver
— Val Floy (@valeriefloy) September 20, 2016
I will be donating my first #newfiver to @childsi – what will you do with yours? #fivergiver #firstfiver pic.twitter.com/qAGo0hEzzT
— Richard Sved (@richardsved) September 20, 2016
I haven't had a new fiver yet but when i do its going straight to @EastKentMencap #FiverGiver #firstfiver https://t.co/jXqi5FCaNd
— Sarah Taylor (@MumUnderTheRain) September 20, 2016
The amount of money pledged is already well into the thousands with the figure set to rise as more charities and businesses get involved and more new notes make it into circulation.
The Institute of Fundraising and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations have backed the campaign with dozens of charities now involved as well.
GettyWith the roll-out of the new notes being staggered – the new £10 note is due to enter circulation next summer – hopefully the way has been paved for even more lucrative campaigns…
