Plan UK - an emergency fundraising appeal

Plan UK is an overseas development agency that raises most of its funds from child sponsorship contributions, and does not usually send out emergency appeals. However, after the Asian tsunami of 2004 the charity wrote to its supporters to ask if they could give an extra gift. The letter supporters received explained that Plan UK was not a relief charity, but had been asked to supply expertise in child protection and trauma counselling in Sri Lanka, within a community the charity already worked closely with.

The letter also explained that correspondence with sponsored children might be interrupted because the disrupted communication networks would take time to rebuild. The mailing included an interview with a local Plan employee, who described what had happened the day the tsunami hit and what the local needs were.

Plan UK's supporters responded with gifts totalling over £650,000. The money is being spent on rebuilding schools, health and education services, supporting voluntary teachers and supplying water and sanitation needs.

Couple with their damaged house, Sri Lanka Plan UK website