Maltese voluntary organisation Step Up for Parkinson’s has recently launched an innovative crowdfunding campaign on local platform Zaar. It hopes to be able to add four more classes to its portfolio of existing activities for people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers.
To date, Step Up for Parkinson’s is the only local organisation that gives free, specialised movement classes to people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers. The organisation is crowdfunding to raise €10,000 so it can achieve its goal.
The VO started off with just eight participants in March 2017, but today can boast of 162 regulars, six classes and 11 trained teachers.
“We need to offer even more,” said SUFP founder and chairperson Natalie Muschamp. “We passionately believe that these classes should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial status. Thus, they must always remain free to the participants.
“We are growing rapidly, and we need to extend our service to four more locations in Malta and Gozo in order to reach more people that would benefit from our help and support.”
The funding is needed to pay teachers, as well as to cover training and administration costs. The amount would also help to keep the organisation running and enable it to match the demand for its services.
While backers to the campaign will be supporting people who live with Parkinson’s, they will also receive one of a series of attractive rewards for their contribution. A €10 donation will give them a certificate of appreciation; while €20 will offer backers a chance to attend one of SUFP’s classes. With an €80 pledge, the backer will be given a ticket for SUFP’s annual fundraising gala being held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel on April 27.
Meanwhile, donations of €200 will receive all the above together with a personal thank you video from the SUFP team; companies that donate €500 will also have their logo added to the SUFP sponsors’ page, while a €1,000 donation will also give donors the option to join one of SUFP’s teacher training sessions or have Muschamp conduct a workshop for their staff.
Silver sponsors of €2,500 will receive 10 tickets to the gala event, a company banner at the event and media mentions before and during the gala event with all media associated with the gala (TV and radio). Finally, gold sponsors of €5,000 will receive all of the above together with social media mentions.