Jedward Among Highest Rated Charity Ambassadors In 2011
o Jedward, Roy Keane and Keith Duffy among most successful charity ambassadors
o Today FM’s Shave or Dye most admired charity campaign in 2011
o Attracting funding and donations is greatest challenge facing third sector leaders in 2012
o 36% of charities experienced an increase in volunteers last year
Eurovision hopefuls Jedward, Roy Keane, Keith Duffy and Donnacha O’Callaghan were the highest rated charity ambassadors of 2011, according to new research from specialist charity insurer Ecclesiastical.
The all-island research, carried out amongst leaders of key charities, revealed that celebrity endorsement is considered either important or very important in raising the profile of charitable organisations in the current economic climate (72%).
Jedward’s role as ambassadors for the ISPCC was among the most successful in 2011, along with Roy Keane’s work with the Irish Guide Dogs, Keith Duffy with Autism Ireland and Donnacha O’Callaghan with UNICEF.
Today FM’s Shave or Dye campaign in aid of the Irish Cancer Society was hailed as the most admired campaign in 2011. Other successful campaigns included UNICEF’s Euro for Zero; The Concern Fast; Movember; Black Santa; Children in Need; Women’s Mini Marathon, Trad for Trocaire and the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.
Leaders of charities across the island of Ireland believe that attracting funding and donations will be the greatest challenge facing Ireland’s third sector in 2012. Management of scarce resources and meeting the needs of service users are also cited as key challenges for the year ahead. However, 36% of charities surveyed experienced an increase in volunteers last year.
David Lane, managing director of specialist insurer Ecclesiastical which donates a significant proportion of its profits to charity, says “The increased level of volunteering is a reassuring trend. There is no doubt that third sector leaders face increasing challenges and complexities due to scarce resources at this time. As our research reflects, innovation and effective leadership within the sector will be key in the months and years ahead.”
When asked about their motives for working in the third sector, 33% of those surveyed said that it provides a rewarding career. 28% are attracted by the opportunity to contribute to their community while a further 28% say that working in the sector provides a challenging role.
