Last week, Londoner named, Thom Feeney, has launched a nine-day crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise €1.6 billion so that the small country’s residents can be free of the crazy debt.
The campaign read:
“All this dithering over Greece is getting boring. European ministers flexing their muscles and posturing over whether they can help the Greek people of not. Why don’t we the people just sort it instead? The European Union is home to 503 million people, if we all just chip in a few Euro then we can get Greece sorted and hopefully get them back on track soon. Easy.
“€1.6bn is what the Greeks need. It might seem like a lot but it’s only just over €3 from each European. That’s about the same as half a pint in London. Or everyone in the EU just having a Feta and Olive salad for lunch. So come on, order a Feta and Olive salad, maybe wash it down with an Ouzo or glass of Assyrtiko greek wine and let’s sort this shit out.”
So is this a joke? The project creator states otherwise. Feeney wrote:
“I can understand why people might take it as a joke, but Crowdfunding can really help because it’s just a case of getting on and doing it. I was fed up of the Greek crisis going round in circles, while politicians are dithering, this is affecting real people. While all the posturing is going on, then it’s easy for the politicians to forget that. I just thought, sod it, I’ll have a crack.”
Although the campaign attracted a ton of attention and kudos, it wasn’t able to reach the initial goal. The amount raised within the eight-day initiative was €1,930,577 from 108,654 backers. During the recent update, Feeny shared:
“As the campaign has now finished and we have not reached the target, all of your contributions will now be refunded. But please don’t leave me just yet! There is a humanitarian crisis in Greece, not just an economic crisis. For those reasons I am launching a new campaign, with flexible funding so that any and all money raised can be invested to help the people of Greece. I realize now I should have done this on the first one – I can only apologize.
“I will be working with Greek foundation, Desmos who have a huge network of charities that they co-ordinate the distribution of surplus goods with. Desmos will help me with my primary aim to get as many 16-24 year olds into work as possible. I want young people to have hope, to learn skills, to drive forward their economy and invest their wages back into Greece. These young people will work in charities, technology and other worthy causes to help the situation in their country. Go and put the kettle on and while you wait for it to boil please take just a minute to look at the new campaign and be part of something very special.”
He then announced his new Greece Bailout campaign. The description reads:
“The Greek Bailout Fund campaign may have not reached the target, but it is defininitely a heart-warmingly huge success. Over 100,000 ordinary people from 182 countries raised almost €2million for the people of Greece. Isn’t that just wonderful? Awareness was raised of the plight of ordinary people being affected by dithering politicians. This is a humanitarian crisis, not just an economic crisis and it’s about bloody time someone did something.
“The people of Greece still face uncertainty. Greek unemployment stands at 25%, among 16-24 year olds it is an almost unimaginable 50%, hospitals are running short of medicines and basic supplies, old people’s homes are running short of food and fuel.”
The new campaign, which is now flexible-funding (meaning all funds will be even if the project is unsuccessful). €1million is the new target and the rewards include:
- Pledge €3 and get a postcard sent from Greece of the Acropolis or of Alexis Tsipras, the Greek Prime Minister.
- Pledge €10 and get a small bottle of Ouzo
- Pledge €20 and get a tin olive oil
- Pledge €5,000 and get an all inclusive holiday to Athens for 2
All products will be 100% Greek.
So far the new campaign (which launched less than 12 hours ago) has raised €29,517. It is set to close in two weeks.
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