Let's make a million

A university student is hoping a million people will help him to raise £1m in a pioneering charity project that could set a trend for fundraising on the internet.

Rob Taylor, 20, of The Pastures, Long Bennington, wants to raise the money for Cancer Research UK.

He first started considering a fundraising project after his grandmother, Mrs Sandra Gibson, 71, of Peterborough, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Rob, studying politics at Northumbria University, came up with the idea of raising £1m through one million people each donating £1.

His project has been backed by Cancer Research UK, which says it could blaze a trail for future fundraising online.

The idea originated from the six degrees of separation theory, which states that the entire population of the world is connected by a chain of no more than six people.

Rob first heard about the theory in his A-level philosophy class at The King’s School, Grantham, but did not think about it again until recently.

His grandmother was diagnosed in December 2008 and under went a successful operation.

He said the family were helped by charitable groups and thought the project would be a good way of giving something back.

So far £95 has been raised via Rob’s website, www.millionpeoplemillionpounds.com, which links directly to the Cancer Research UK website.

People donate via the website rather than giving money in person.

Some people have given more than £1, including a friend, Mr Ian Walker, who donated £64 from 64 people in his company.

With support from Cancer Research UK, plans are in the pipeline to make a video to market the project on the internet.

“They have really pushed the idea. If it’s successful I can’t see why they couldn’t take it up,” Rob said.

Rob has been trying to contact companies to promote the idea and is hoping to talk to a representative from HSBC.

Rob said he remained positive about reaching his goal.

“I know people I have told have then told a fair few other people. I think it will be down to those people to keep passing the message on,” he said.

“The fact the message is being passed on is almost as important as the £1 itself. That is what the project relies on.”

Rob is using social networking websites Facebook and Twitter to promote the project and the video will be available on YouTube when finished.

The online communities manager at Cancer Research UK, Mr Ryan Bromley, said: “Cancer Research UK’s ground-breaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. This work is funded entirely by the public.

“The great thing about Rob’s fundraising idea is that it is simple, easy for anyone to get involved and has the potential to raise a large amount of money for Cancer Research UK — three great ingredients for success.

“Rob’s idea could be a trail blazer for future fundraising on the web so I’m excited to see him reach his goal.

“Cancer Research UK wishes him all the best with his challenge which could make a real difference to people with cancer.”