THE Do It for Dorset Campaign has raised more than £43,000 for good causes since its launch a year ago.

The joint initiative between Daily Echo and the Dorset Community Foundation has helped to raise awareness and funds for local charities, sports clubs and community groups, since it started in March 2012.

All the groups who have joined the initiative signed up to Localgiving,com and as part of joining the Do It for Dorset campaign, they also participate in the match-funding campaigns.

It means that individual donations are being matched out of a big pot of money, with the last being Grow Your Tenner, which reached £500,000 for those who were part of the campaign.

Tracy Melling, Localgiving.com Appeal Manager, said: “A lot of small charities, sports clubs and community groups are struggling to raise funds and survive as they are mostly volunteer led, have no appointed fundraisers and really need help.

“Localgiving.com and the Do It for Dorset campaign is designed to help those groups raise awareness, support and donations.”

Ferndown FC is one of the clubs that has been helped through the initiative, including a large donation from an American donor, who found out about the appeal through its increased online prescence.

Andy Tibbles, team manager at Ferndown FC, said: “Since joining Localgiving.com and the Do It for Dorset Campaign, we have managed to raise over £3,000 in additional donations.

“It is excellent because it has allowed us to continue to grow the club and take us to the next level in local football without having to rely solely on grants, which are drying up anyway.”

As part of the Do It for Dorset campaign, Dorset Community Foundation are also matching volunteers to help on charity projects across Dorset, including events, volunteer transport, shop work, administration, marketing and more.

If you are a charity, sports club, village hall or a community group and would like to join the Do It for Dorset campaign, please contact Tracy Melling, our Localgiving.com Manager, on 01202 315952. Those wishing to find out more about volunteering for a project are also advised to contact Tracy Melling.