Student affinity network UNiDays is running a 48-hour global fundraising event, called UNiGIVES, to bring together its brand partners and 13 million-strong global member community, to generate a global COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

UNiGIVES is an initiative for brands to help UNiDAYS and its members give back and support those affected by the current COVID-19 situation. Brands taking part in UNiGIVES include Nike, Adidas, Missguided, Sennheiser, Reebok, Dell, Lovehoney, Vodaphone, Ray-Ban, Converse, H&M, Under Armour and ASOS.

Hosted through UNiDAYS’ platforms on today and Tuesday (May 19), and amplified through UNiDAYS and brand partner channels, UNiGIVES will run simultaneously across the UK and Ireland, Germany, the US, Australia and New Zealand.

£100,000 target

The UNiGIVES fund will be a direct output of partner and member participation and the resulting sales. UNiDAYS will be donating 100% of the media investment made by brands taking part and will also be donating £1 for every purchase made on its platform or using a UNiDAYS discount code, during the event.

The target for the fundraising is in excess of £100,000.

Through the fund, brands and students will help a variety of different initiatives, including:

  • Helping to track and understand the spread of the virus
  • Ensuring patients get the care they need, and frontline workers get essential supplies and information
  • Helping countries, especially those with fewer resources, expand their healthcare capacity and reduce the impact of the virus, particularly amongst the most vulnerable

“Our purpose at UNiDAYS is to support, enable and inspire young people, especially at this time. UNiGIVES is an initiative that came from our understanding of what students want to see: companies doing more to help. Together, thanks to our brilliant student Members and brand Partners, we are so pleased to contribute towards an incredibly important initiative and give back to our global community, helping those in need,” said Viviane Paxinos, UNiDAYS general manager, EMEA & ANZ.

Recent insights from a student member survey* conducted by UNiDAYS, found that students want to see companies doing more to help support front-line efforts and those who are vulnerable during the pandemic.

In addition, seven in ten (70%) want brands to offer services that support vulnerable people, and to produce and distribute essential supplies (68%).

Find out more about the fundraiser here.