Business Franchise Australia

Sweet Memes to Raise Funds for HeartKids

Today, Valentine’s Day, is International Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Day, and Retail Food Group (RFG) has kicked off its annual fundraiser for HeartKids, a charity providing ongoing support for children born with heart defects and their families.

RFG is hoping to raise $200,000 for HeartKids during the month of February by encouraging social media users to do what they do best: create and share memes.

A meme is an image or text that is spread rapidly and is typically humorous or heart-warming. RFG has created a Sweetheart’s Meme Generator where users will be encouraged to log in, create a personalised meme using a range of images and messages provided, and share it with their friends via email. For every person the meme message is shared with via the Meme Generator, RFG will donate 20 cents to HeartKids.

RFG Marketing and Innovation Manager Sheridan Burke said she was hoping to have one million messages sent via the Meme Generator during February, resulting in a donation of $200,000.

“RFG is a proud supporter of HeartKids and the excellent work they do for children born with heart defects in Australia, and we are hoping to raise $200,000 for the charity this month,” said Ms Burke.

“Over the past few years and with the help of over 1300 generous Franchisees across our network, RFG has donated in excess of one million dollars to HeartKids. This has greatly assisted the organisation’s work in providing support to families affected by childhood heart disease, raising awareness and funding research.”

All of the Internet’s favourites are included in the Meme Generator from cats to pugs and alpacas, along with messages ranging from funny to sentimental with a Valentine’s Day sweetheart theme.

HeartKids CEO Jann Kingston said she believed the campaign would raise awareness of HeartKids and childhood heart disease as well as generating donations.

“We are excited to see these meme messages spread far and wide across the country, helping to raise funds and awareness for HeartKids,” said Ms Kingston.

“Not many people realise six babies are born with a heart defect in Australia every day. Campaigns like this help raise vital awareness and funding for programs that can really help improve outcomes for children affected by childhood heart disease and their families.”

RFG’s Sweetheart Meme Generator can be accessed at rfgsweethearts.com.au until 28 February 2014 and donations can be made online or at any of RFG’s franchised retail outlets.

Retail Food Group (RFG) is Australia’s largest multi‐food franchise operator. With more than 105 million customer visits a year RFG owns the Donut King, Brumby’s Bakery, Michel’s Patisserie, bb’s café, Esquires, The Coffee Guy, Pizza Capers Gourmet Kitchen and Crust Gourmet Pizza franchise systems. In addition, the Company roasts more than 1.35m kilograms of coffee annually through the Evolution Coffee Roasters Group, Caffe Coffee and Barista’s Choice coffee brands.