In December 2015, a group of students at Oxford University implemented a project idea that would utilize “OneClickGiving” for refugees. By helping fund two of the most influential refugee charities, Save the Children and the Refugee Council, OneClickGiving could help save lives.

The idea was this: a minimalistic YouTube video of a tortoise eating a strawberry would be recorded while a well-known public figure would serve as a voice-over explaining the video’s purpose. Fortunately, the group knew someone that put them in touch with Alan Rickman who then invited them to his house in London where they recorded the voice over. Founder Oliver Phillips said, Rickman “loved the project” and “the beauty of YouTube is that the video will exist forever and just keep on accruing money for the causes.”

Alan Rickman, popularly known for his role as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter series, passed away in early 2016 shortly following his participation with OneClickGiving, however, his dedication to many charitable organizations continues to leave a legacy. Much of his charitable participation was given to charities that supported poverty and refugee relief such as, Make Poverty History, ONE Campaign, Peace One Day and of course, Save the Children and the Refugee Council which continue to cumulate earnings thanks to his voice over with OneClickGiving.

By partnering with YouTube, OneClickGiving will collect earnings through split advertising revenue cumulated by each video viewing. No profit will be collected and the earnings will be utilized by splitting between the two charities. The Refugee Council is a U.K. organization that seeks to support the recovery efforts for refugees while also enabling them to become active participants in the decisions necessary to “rebuild their lives.” Save the Children is active in 120 countries and is dedicated to helping protect the rights and livelihood of refugee children. For the Refugee Council, donations will be dispersed specifically throughout the U.K. and with Save the Children, the money will be dispersed globally for displaced children.

OneClickGiving for refugees continues to make a difference after a year of 3.9 million viewings. The eventual hope for the project is that companies will be willing to match the proceeds that will further contribute toward greater financial support for Syrian refugees. Consider the possible difference to be made by simply watching a video, with just one click!

– Amy Williams

Photo: Flickr