Two students who kick-started a social media campaign that has spread nationally after being backed by celebrities have raked in thousands of pounds for charity in just two weeks.
Tamara Fitsch and Emily Flitterman, both 20, launched the #thenandnow campaign to support Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) a fortnight ago and have already raised more than £8,000.
The initiative, which encourages people to post an embarrassing photograph of themselves as children and donate to GOSH, was picked up by Little Britain comedian Matt Lucas and Harry Potter actor Tom Felton on Twitter.
Mr Lucas tweeted a photo of himself as a child and encouraged people to donate to #thenandnow before nominating Mr Felton, who did the same.
Ms Fitsch, a University of Birmingham student who grew up in Kingsley Way, Hampstead Garden Suburb, was urged by her mother to start the initiative and got her friend Ms Flitterman involved.
“I was going through some old photographs and I was like, ‘Oh mum, how could you let me go out like this?’ We were laughing a lot,” said Ms Fitsch.
“She said, ‘I’ve got such a good idea, why don’t we start a new thing online like the no make-up selfie.’
She called GOSH and they liked the idea and then set up the JustGiving page and the text line.
“Emily, her sister and I launched it on Facebook and it’s gone to Edinburgh, Liverpool, Sussex. The idea is every child deserves a now and a future.
“We are so overwhelmed with how it’s gone and we want it to do even better, because we know it’s got the potential to spread. Emily was the person who tweeted Matt Lucas and she was so happy to see him respond.”
To get involved with the campaign post a picture of yourself as a child onto Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the #thenandnow hashtag, asking people to donate by texting “THEN77” plus the amount you wish to give to 70070. You can also nominate a friend to do the same.
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