A heart warming social networking campaign, 1,000 Hearts, has been launched to raise funds for Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust at HWB Communications.

The aim is to get 1000 people to donate R100 per month to Rape Crisis before the start of the 16 Days of Activism, which commences on 25 November 2009.

At the launch invited guests bought hearts online whilst enjoying cupcakes sponsored by Tina Bester, Owner of Queen of Tarts, who endorses the campaign.

Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust is one of Cape Town’s most experienced and well known NGO’s working with survivors of rape and sexual violence. At the end of last year the organisation faced closure after international sponsorship was withdrawn. Thanks to large individual donations and an increase in their grant from the Department of Social Development, Rape Crisis managed to keep its doors open.

This fundraising drive has kicked in with the aim of building up the organisation’s reserve fund so it is never faced with that kind of scenario again.

Speaking at the launch of 1,000 Hearts, held on the 7 August, Margie Orford, guest speaker, patron and best selling South African crime writer said: “Rape Crisis is an organisation close to my heart. Thanks to the 1,000 Hearts Campaign everyone can easily make a small contribution to RCCTT and help continue the great work that they do.”

Kathleen Dey, Director of Rape Crisis said: “The beauty of this campaign is the fact that everyone can get involved, from any social network.  As well as online social networks like Facebook or Twitter, we want to encourage individuals to take this campaign ‘home’ to their book club or their supper club. What makes the campaign even sweeter is that you can order specially made cupcakes from Queen of Tarts to take along to your club.”

Orford described life as a tapestry and said that when a woman is raped the tapestry unravels. Rape Crisis helps to stitch back together these unravelled lives, and supports women in upholding their dignity. The 1,000 Heart’s Campaign is a way to help them in their work of slowly weaving back women’s lives.

The campaign is about making it relevant to you and spreading the word within your network in the hopes that a heart will be purchased. Hearts can be bought online at www.rapecrisis.org.za [1] . Fantastic ideas for making the campaign relevant to you can also be found on the website.

Tina Bester, Owner of Queen of Tarts said: “Rape Crisis is an organisation that offers crucial support to rape survivors. We are proud to be part of the 1,000 Hearts Campaign and want to encourage people to show their support by buying a heart.” To order your special offer 1,000 Hearts cupcakes simply call Queen of Tarts on (021) 448 2420 to place your order.