Sharing is crucial for any successful crowdfunding campaign! This guide helps you connect with your network and expand your reach to attract more donations for your cause.
Steps to Share Your Campaign:
Share with friends and family via WhatsApp, email, or Messenger.
Build initial support to establish credibility.
Once you have some contributions, expand your outreach.
Encourage supporters to share your campaign—it broadens your reach and may attract donations from unexpected places.
Ready to launch your campaign on BackaBuddy? This guide covers everything you need to know to set up, write a compelling story, and activate your Donate button. Learn how to make your campaign stand out and reach your funding goals effectively.
Steps to Start Your Campaign:
Log into your BackaBuddy profile and click on “Start Campaign.”
Enter essential details like your campaign name, target amount, and images.
Write an engaging story to inspire potential donors.
Preview your campaign and click “Launch.”
Make sure your campaign title is simple and powerful—it’s the first thing potential donors will see. A clear, compelling title can increase the chances of donations!
Starting a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy begins with creating your profile! This guide walks you through setting up your BackaBuddy account so you can begin your fundraising journey. Once your profile is registered and verified, you’re all set to launch your first campaign and join our supportive community.
Confirm your profile by clicking the verification link sent to your email.
For a smoother experience, double-check your email address and ensure you click the verification link promptly to avoid delays in setting up your account.
Watch Our Step-by-Step Guide on YouTube
Contact Us
For any questions, reach out to your campaign manager for personalised assistance, alternatively contact us, HERE.
Want impact stories and top crowdfunding tips? Sign up for our newsletter and join our community!
In July of last year, 32-year-old Timothy Bentley, a mechanical engineer from Cape Town, found his life suddenly upended. Following what seemed to be a common viral infection, Tim’s health began to unravel in ways he could never have imagined. His diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, has led to a downward spiral in his health, leaving him bed-bound and dependent on loved ones for even the simplest tasks.
Pictured above: 32-year-old Timothy Bentley
Tim’s journey to a diagnosis was a lengthy one; it took over eight months from his initial infection to get any real answers. During that time, he endured the deterioration of his physical and mental capacities. Once an avid mountain biker, racer, and BMX dirt jumper who loved going to live concerts and the beach, Tim has now lost access to the activities and lifestyle that once defined him. “It’s been extremely tough on me,” Tim shares. “I was incredibly active before I got sick. Now, it’s so isolating, and every test builds my hopes, only for them to be dashed when the results come back.”
For Tim, every day is a challenge. The debilitating fatigue and body aches prevent even basic movement. He experiences severe light and noise sensitivity, vertigo, dizziness, and cognitive impairments that make screen time or even looking at his phone for more than a few minutes nearly impossible. Adding to the strain, Tim’s body no longer tolerates any physical or mental exertion, temperature changes, or bright lights, which worsen his symptoms. The condition is thought to be linked to a viral trigger, yet the exact biological cause of ME/CFS remains unknown – akin to the mystery surrounding long COVID. Medical experts theorize it could stem from cellular energy production issues, immune system reactions, or even brain stem damage.
Pictured above: Tim in his mountain biking element
Tim’s partner, Frankie Du Toit (27), has become his steadfast support, taking on all household responsibilities, from cooking and cleaning to managing finances. “Frankie’s been my rock,” Tim says. “She’s taken over everything, been my emotional support, and helps with daily tasks I can’t do myself, like showering.” Tim’s parents, James and Sue Bentley, have also had to adjust their lives significantly. They come by daily to prepare meals, handle the cleaning, and take him to all his medical appointments, all while managing the financial burden of ongoing treatments. “It’s been overwhelming,” Tim reflects. “This whole experience has placed a tremendous financial and emotional strain on my parents. They’ve spent nearly all their savings on my medical care.”
The road to recovery has been paved with medical tests and expenses. Currently, Tim is awaiting the results of a full brain and spine MRI to rule out conditions that mimic ME/CFS, such as cervical spinal stenosis. Additionally, he’s waiting for blood test results to check for heavy metal allergies to titanium, as he has plates and screws in his foot from past injuries. If these tests show no further complications, the focus will shift to managing his symptoms.
Pictured above: Tim Bentley
Amidst this uphill battle, Tim remains hopeful, inspired by stories of others who have recovered from ME/CFS. “The thought that one day I might be able to ride again and do the things I love is what keeps me going,” he says. His gratitude for the outpouring of support from 136 donors on his BackaBuddy campaign, which has raised over R163,000 so far, is profound. “Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, no matter how big or small,” Tim says. “Thank you to my wonderful friends, especially from the mountain biking community, who have donated and shared my story. And thank you to the kind people who don’t even know me but have still donated. I wish I could personally thank each and every one of you!”
As Tim continues his journey, the generosity of supporters has been a vital source of strength and hope. “It’s been absolutely overwhelming and has taken a huge financial burden off my parents. Knowing that I’m not forgotten during this incredibly challenging time means the world to me,” TIm says. The support allows him to focus on his next steps toward recovery, holding on to the hope that one day he will be back on his bike, conquering new trails, and living the life he once loved.
In 2020, amid the profound impact of the pandemic on families, Nicole Arrison, our very own Systems & Quality Assurance Analyst here at BackaBuddy from Kensington, Cape Town, found a unique way to celebrate her December 21st birthday – by giving back. Inspired by the pressing need she saw around her, Nicole set a goal to provide 21 grocery boxes to families in need. What began as a simple idea soon grew into something much larger, thanks to overwhelming support from friends, family, and even strangers around the world.
Reflecting on the first year of Box21For21, Nicole says, “I was overwhelmed with the support from all over the world – receiving donations from America, Malaysia, and Sweden. On the day of my birthday, driving around to deliver the boxes, I held back a lot of happy tears just witnessing the joy and relief on people’s faces.”
Since then, the initiative has grown to include stationery relief, providing children with essentials for school. Each year brings challenges, yet Nicole remains undeterred. Although work commitments limited her 2022 efforts, and the funds raised in 2023 fell short of her R21,000 goal, Nicole ensured that every rand was put to good use, contributing to a charity Christmas lunch for the homeless.
Pictured above: Groceries included in each box
This year, Nicole is starting early, calling on the generosity of supporters to help her provide essential grocery boxes to struggling families. She’s once again launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, raising over R1,000 of her R25,000 goal with the help of six incredible donors. She reflects on the initiative’s broader impact stating: “Sadly, it’s not only the rising cost of living that has hit the communities around me but also the recent storms and harsh winters. Yet, I’m optimistic – South Africa is the home of ‘ubuntu,’ and my hope is that Box21For21 can grow to a point where we have a constant rotation of grocery relief boxes being distributed.”
Each grocery box includes fresh produce, rice, tinned food, hygiene products, and a little bit of festive cheer. For many families, these items make a world of difference. “One mother shared how, after the loss of her son – who was their only source of income – she didn’t know where their next meal would come from. Thanks to the grocery box, that stress was alleviated, and they could enjoy Christmas. Knowing that I could help bring them some festive joy is a feeling I hold very close to my heart.” Nicole says
Pictured above: Box21For21 boxes packed and ready to be distributed
Nicole’s vision for Box21For21 is bold but grounded in compassion. She believes that with ongoing support, this initiative can help more families in need each year. “Your contribution has an unseen ripple effect, spreading joy and compassion that’s truly incomprehensible. Together, we can make this season brighter for families facing tough times. Thank you for supporting Box21For21 and sharing in my mission to make a difference.”
Picture a young child, eyes gleaming with excitement, clutching a book they can now call their own. This Christmas, through the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s Blue Crane Book Project, you can help make that simple, profound dream a reality for thousands of children.
In the heart of the Eastern Cape’s Blue Crane District, the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s goal is to deliver not just a gift but the joy of reading to 3,000 young learners. For as little as R50, you can sponsor a gift that includes a captivating storybook, sweets, and a small toy – a complete Christmas package for a child who may have very little to call their own.
“We employ 40 reading assistants who provide intensive one-on-one reading sessions to children with severe reading disabilities,” shares the Jakes Gerwel Foundation.
These reading assistants work in dedicated classrooms within local schools, transformed into nurturing reading rooms filled with books, colourful shelves, cosy mats, and engaging word games. These safe spaces are not only helping children learn to read but are inspiring a love of literature that could change their lives forever.
Beyond their regular reading sessions, the foundation organises holiday programs with plays, word games, food parcels, and face painting, creating a memorable experience for every child involved. “Through these activities, we aim to foster a sense of community and demonstrate that reading and books can be fun,” the foundation explains.
You can be part of this wonderful mission to spread Christmas cheer and hope to young learners in Pearston, KwaNojoli, Somerset East, and Cookhouse. By supporting the Blue Crane Book Project’s BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign where they have raised over R1900 with the aid of 5 incredible donors, you’re joining a movement that brings not only gifts but the potential for a brighter future.
