Mariatu-Kargbo-Global-Cultural-Ambassador-of-Republic-of-Sierra-Leone-Brett-Rierson-Representative-WFP-China-and-Rowan-Simons-President-Guinness-World
Pic: (L-R) Mariatu Kargbo, Global Cultural Ambassador of Republic of Sierra Leone, Brett Rierson, Representative for WFP China, and Rowan Simons, President Guinness World Records Greater China

A Chinese appeal to provide aid for those affected by the Ebola outbreak in Africa has set a new record for most individual donations for a campaign on a single online platform in 24 hours.

Organised by instant messenger service Tencent QQ alongside the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation and the United Nations World Food Programme, the charity drive received 105,803 individual pledges on 23 December last year.

All donations from the project will be used directly by WFP to provide food for Ebola-affected countries in West Africa. 

An independent third party agency audited the project on Tencent Mobile QQ Wallet and confirmed the total number of valid donations. The micro-donation campaign raised a total of RMB 1,218,489.30 (US$195,176.89) from 22 December to 31 December. 

GWR Greater China President Rowan Simons, commented: “By attempting and now setting a world record, we congratulate the three organisers for showing how charities, e-payment providers and social media can work together to mobilize public support for good causes.”

Global Cultural Ambassador of the Republic of Sierra Leone Mariatu Kargbo, who brought together the three partners for this attempt, said: “Can you imagine, that’s more than 100,000 personal messages of love from China that arrived in West Africa on Christmas Day. And now the funds for nearly 400,000 meals to help us build our strength again. Thank you, China.”