Students’ relfies fundraiser goes viral

Teenagers are close to raising a five-figure sum to help domestic violence victims with a social media campaign that has gone global in just six days.

Using ‘relationship selfie’ photos they call ‘relfies’ — a picture with someone the subject has a positive relationship with — the girls at St Angela’s College in Cork City also hope to spread a message about healthy relationships.

People have already posted their pictures with family members, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, teachers and colleagues on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram from as far away as the US, Britain, Holland, Spain and Germany.

Thanks to everyone for coming to our Balloon Launch! It was a great success🎈 pic.twitter.com/xW0ubMK7V2

— REALationships (@stangelasYSI14) December 10, 2014

For every picture posted, money is to be donated to Cork domestic violence group Mná Feasa, but inquiries are also coming from overseas about how to support similar groups in their own country instead.

The campaign only started last Thursday, but more than 4,700 snaps were posted to Instagram alone by lunchtime yesterday, meaning a potential €9,400 for charity.

4,500 #relfieworldrecord posts on Instagram pic.twitter.com/vVKEsqIJbM

— REALationships (@stangelasYSI14) January 12, 2015

“We’ve been completely blown away by how much support it’s getting, we hope everyone donates,” said Laura Murphy, one of the transition year team behind the Young Social Innovators project.

Tiny versions of the photos will be used to create a bigger image of their pre-Christmas release of 100 white and 400 purple balloons, highlighting that one-in-five women experience abuse in a relationship.

It will feature in an ad promoting positive relationships and support groups like Mná Feasa — which had contact with almost 1,500 women last year — with which the students want to set a world record for most selfies for charity on a billboard.

#relfieworldrecord instructions pic.twitter.com/UJE0Kanyq1

— REALationships (@stangelasYSI14) January 8, 2015

The money raised will go to Mná Feasa, part of Cork Anti Poverty Resource Network. Project co-ordinator Ann O’Mahony thanked the students, saying their work could help expand their helpline, 021-4271157, which opens 10am to 4pm on weekdays only.

Post ‘relfies’ with hashtag #relfieworldrecord, nominate three others to do the same within 24 hours, and donate €2 to Mná Feasa by texting FUN to 50300.