Actor Hugh Jackman has pledged to donate tens of thousands of pounds to charity in a Twitter contest.
Whatever your views on Twitter this Sky report must be good news right? For the effort it takes to send in a 140 Character tweet, Hugh Jackman is promising to donate 100,000 Australian dollars to the charity that receives the ‘best’ tweet.
You have until 24th April to submit the tweet when the winning cause will beannounced.
Users must send a 140-character “tweet” to the actor’s profile @RealHughJackman to nominate their cause.
The star will give 100,000 Australian dollars – more than £48,000 – to the charity named by the best tweet.
Hundreds of recession-hit charities are competing for the money as the economic downturn forces them to think of innovative ways to raise funds.
One cause hoping to win is Jessica’s Trust, set up by Ben Palmer in the memory of his wife, who died from childbed fever in 2004.
He has messaged the actor in the hope of winning the cash, posting: “Widowed and so worried for the next family, next mum to die from this archaic disease.”
Mr Palmer told Sky News Online the actor’s pledge offered causes as “remarkable lifeline”.
He said:”It highlights the struggle we all, charities included, face during a recession, but also the power of Twitter.”
The Prime Minister’s wife, Sarah Brown, has tweeted a message of support to Mr Palmer’s cause.
Famous charities have joined in, including a Twitter profile in the name of the UNHCR – the United Nation’s refugee arm.
Mr Jackman’s campaign comes as it emerges just 1% of British people say they give money to causes when approached by a charity mugger or “chugger”.
Only 4% of people still put money in collection tins, according to research by PlayOTTO.
Mr Jackman, who stars in Wolverine, told his online followers: “Your suggestions have been informative, touching and inspiring.
“Please keep them coming. You are educating thousands by sharing your causes.”
The winning cause is set to be announced on Friday April 24.