DETAILS: https://www.indiegogo.com/greek-bailout-fund.html
Let's just get Greece sorted
All this dithering over Greece is getting boring. European ministers flexing their muscles and posturing over whether they can help the Greek people of not. Why don't we the people just sort it instead?The European Union is home to 503 million people, if we all just chip in a few Euro then we can get Greece sorted and hopefully get them back on track soon. Easy.
What We Need & What You Get
€1.6bn is what the Greeks need. It might seem like a lot but it's only just over €3 from each European. That's about the same as half a pint in London. Or everyone in the EU just having a Feta and Olive salad for lunch.So come on, order a Feta and Olive salad, maybe wash it down with an Ouzo or glass of Assyrtiko greek wine and let's sort this shit out.
Pledge €3 and get a postcard sent from Greece of Alex Tsipras, the Greek Prime Minister. We'll get them made and posted in Greece and give a boost to some local printers and post offices.
Pledge €6 and get a greek Feta and Olive salad
Pledge €10 and get a small bottle of Ouzo sent to you
Pledge €25 and get a bottle of Greek wine
Is that really all it would take?
OK, it might be a short while for the cash to get fully into the Greek economy, but hell - what is there to lose? Another Tesco Meal deal? Ah well.
You get some tasty Greek things.
We promise that all profits will go to the Greek people and all products will be 100% Greek.
Who are you?
I'm 29 years old and from York, Yorkshire in the North of England but live in Bethnal Green, London. I currently work in a shoe shop in London.
Is this a joke?
No. Crowdfunding can really help because it's just a case of getting on and doing it. I was fed up of the Greek crisis going round in circles, while politicians are dithering, this is affecting real people. While all the posturing is going on, then it's easy for the politicians to forget that. I just thought, sod it, I'll have a crack.
Why Greece?
This isn't just about Greece, but about the Greek people, the working classes and trying to help other ordinary people across the world. If governments, corporations or banks won't help, what can we do but band together. If we don't reach that target, what a wonderful message it sends out. It shows that whether you're a working class lad in Yorkshire, Scotland or Athens other people around the world care about you, even if your government has forgotten. You can make a difference.
It shows that so many people care about giving to people when they need it most, not kicking them while they're down. To help an economy recover we need investment and stimulus, not cuts and austerity.
How has the campaign been received?
I've been overwhelmed by the response, it’s been incredibly positive. I’ve received so many tweets, emails and messages of support and thanks. I started the campaign as quite a practical endeavour, €3 from everyone in Europe - that'll sort it. But it has really struck a chord with so many people emotionally. I feel quite emotional about it all myself now, I've had to have a sit down and a strong cup of Yorkshire Tea!
Are you just making a statement/some kind of point?
This is a real attempt to do something. But at the very least it's important to raise the issue of the plight of the Greek people at this time. Not just the profiles of politiicians. We can help our Greek cousins by buying wonderful Greek produce such as feta, olives, wine and more. And maybe considering Greece as a holiday destination. That's part of the idea behind each of the perks on the crowdfunding page. Trade will help Greece and the Greek people out of their current situation.
Have you been involved in Greek Politics before?
I've never been involved in Greek politics. I see the campaign as more of a helping the Greek people than getting involved with politics.
Have you been in touch with European or Greek leaders.
I've not yet been in touch with any European leaders, but I heard a rumour from a journalist that Mr Tsipras wanted to get in touch.
Do you have any link to IndieGoGo?
I've never been involved with IndieGoGo before.
What happens if you don’t make the target?
All the money is refunded. Hopefully we’ll make it though!
Are the products real or symbolic?
It’s not symbolic - all products would be sourced from Greece, made in Greece and sent from Greece.
Do you think Europeans are generous enough?
Europeans are pretty generous on the whole, maybe Ms Merkel and Mr Cameron are the exception. There are 500 million people in the EU and actually, it wouldn't cost each person much to just sort it out ourselves. I'm confident the people of Europe will get this campaign and some time soon we'll all be raising a glass of Ouzo and having a bloody great big celebration.
What will happen to the money?
We promise that all profits will go to the Greek people. Whether that be via the government accepting it or by other means.
How can the Greek government accept your money?
That's one for IndieGoGo to help me with! Thought I suspect that there'll be plenty of people, better qualified than I am, that would be willing to help.
Do you think that you can reach the target?
I hope very much that the campaign will reach the target, I think it will be a victory for people power. Yes it's a tall order but I truly believe it can be effective, remember it's a very small amount per person we're looking for.
Will you go to Greece to send the postcards?!
I'd love to go to Greece to send the postcards myself. The postcards and salads would be put together in Greece, employing Greeks and contributing to the Greek economy.
How much have you personally put in?
I've put in for a bottle of Ouzo, which is just €10 - if 1 in 3 Europeans did the same, we'd get to the target!
We promise that all profits will go to the Greek people and all products will be 100% Greek.
FAQs and Press/Media
Since this has been covered in the media and gone fantastically well so far, I've been asked a lot of questions. I've tried to answer some more below:Who are you?
I'm 29 years old and from York, Yorkshire in the North of England but live in Bethnal Green, London. I currently work in a shoe shop in London.
Is this a joke?
No. Crowdfunding can really help because it's just a case of getting on and doing it. I was fed up of the Greek crisis going round in circles, while politicians are dithering, this is affecting real people. While all the posturing is going on, then it's easy for the politicians to forget that. I just thought, sod it, I'll have a crack.
Why Greece?
This isn't just about Greece, but about the Greek people, the working classes and trying to help other ordinary people across the world. If governments, corporations or banks won't help, what can we do but band together. If we don't reach that target, what a wonderful message it sends out. It shows that whether you're a working class lad in Yorkshire, Scotland or Athens other people around the world care about you, even if your government has forgotten. You can make a difference.
It shows that so many people care about giving to people when they need it most, not kicking them while they're down. To help an economy recover we need investment and stimulus, not cuts and austerity.
How has the campaign been received?
I've been overwhelmed by the response, it’s been incredibly positive. I’ve received so many tweets, emails and messages of support and thanks. I started the campaign as quite a practical endeavour, €3 from everyone in Europe - that'll sort it. But it has really struck a chord with so many people emotionally. I feel quite emotional about it all myself now, I've had to have a sit down and a strong cup of Yorkshire Tea!
Are you just making a statement/some kind of point?
This is a real attempt to do something. But at the very least it's important to raise the issue of the plight of the Greek people at this time. Not just the profiles of politiicians. We can help our Greek cousins by buying wonderful Greek produce such as feta, olives, wine and more. And maybe considering Greece as a holiday destination. That's part of the idea behind each of the perks on the crowdfunding page. Trade will help Greece and the Greek people out of their current situation.
Have you been involved in Greek Politics before?
I've never been involved in Greek politics. I see the campaign as more of a helping the Greek people than getting involved with politics.
Have you been in touch with European or Greek leaders.
I've not yet been in touch with any European leaders, but I heard a rumour from a journalist that Mr Tsipras wanted to get in touch.
Do you have any link to IndieGoGo?
I've never been involved with IndieGoGo before.
What happens if you don’t make the target?
All the money is refunded. Hopefully we’ll make it though!
Are the products real or symbolic?
It’s not symbolic - all products would be sourced from Greece, made in Greece and sent from Greece.
Do you think Europeans are generous enough?
Europeans are pretty generous on the whole, maybe Ms Merkel and Mr Cameron are the exception. There are 500 million people in the EU and actually, it wouldn't cost each person much to just sort it out ourselves. I'm confident the people of Europe will get this campaign and some time soon we'll all be raising a glass of Ouzo and having a bloody great big celebration.
What will happen to the money?
We promise that all profits will go to the Greek people. Whether that be via the government accepting it or by other means.
How can the Greek government accept your money?
That's one for IndieGoGo to help me with! Thought I suspect that there'll be plenty of people, better qualified than I am, that would be willing to help.
Do you think that you can reach the target?
I hope very much that the campaign will reach the target, I think it will be a victory for people power. Yes it's a tall order but I truly believe it can be effective, remember it's a very small amount per person we're looking for.
Will you go to Greece to send the postcards?!
I'd love to go to Greece to send the postcards myself. The postcards and salads would be put together in Greece, employing Greeks and contributing to the Greek economy.
How much have you personally put in?
I've put in for a bottle of Ouzo, which is just €10 - if 1 in 3 Europeans did the same, we'd get to the target!
