Sure has joined up with Comic Relief to ensure that Manx residents are able to donate money on Red Nose Day via text message.
This year’s event, on Friday 13th March, aims to raise millions of pounds for people in need in the UK and Africa.
Until now, Isle of Man residents had been unable to lend their text support.
‘The fact that we’re not part of the UK means that premium text numbers are not automatically available to Manx residents,’ said Simon Last-Sutton, Chief Executive of Sure in the Isle of Man.
‘We will add premium rate numbers to the Sure network if there is sufficient demand from the public. In this case we feel it’s important that we give our customers the facilities they want. Sure recognises just how important the Red Nose Day Appeal is and that the generous people in the Isle of Man will want to get involved so we have got together with Comic Relief to make text donations possible.’
Mr Last-Sutton said that Sure and other companies across the Island would be organising fund-raising events for Red Nose Day, the theme of which, this year, is ‘Do Something Funny for Money’.
‘We know that lots of people will be having fun on the day but of course there is a serious side as it’s important to be able to raise as much money as possible, and I’m sure lots of people will want to make personal donations. Sure has committed to passing on 100% of every donation so that the Isle of Man can be proud to know it is making a difference to thousands of lives both in the UK and in Africa,’ he said.
How You Can Text For Charity
Two text numbers are available to Sure customers in the Isle of Man. The word ‘YES’ can be sent to the main Red Nose Day number of 66609; this makes a donation of ?5. Alternatively the word ‘CLIMB’ can be sent to 88808 which makes a ?1 donation to the Red Nose Day appeal; this focuses on the celebrity team which recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Manx residents can also phone the appeal on Friday night on 03457 910910.
‘Pay-as-you-go customers need to ensure that they have sufficient credit before sending a text otherwise their donation won’t go through, and customers on contract will have the amount added to their bill,’ said Mr Last-Sutton. ‘All customers will be charged the standard text rate and will receive a text back from Comic Relief to thank them for their donation. We must stress that unless they receive this acknowledgement, they haven’t made a donation.’
All the money raised will be collected locally by Sure in the Isle of Man, and the full amount sent on to Comic Relief once the text lines close at 23.59 on 31st March 2009.
A full list of all the premium text numbers available to Sure customers can be found at www.surecw.com
Pictured: Simon Last-Sutton, Chief Executive of Sure in the Isle of Man
