The #BettyWhiteChallenge on Facebook and Instagram has raised R191 million for animal shelters around the world.
Johannesburg, South Africa (23 January 2022) – The late Betty White was an animal lover, so to honour her life, someone started a challenge to help raise funds for animals worldwide and the incredible initiative has already raised $12,7 million (R191 million).
The #BettyWhiteChallenge has been going viral since the 1st of January, popping up on social media several times.
White died of natural causes at her home in the Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California, on the 31st of December 2021, aged 99, seventeen days shy of her 100th birthday.
It is unclear who created the challenge, but Nicole Maria Eldred created the graphic to make the challenge more accessible to social media users.
“On Betty White’s 100th birthday, January 17, everyone should pick a local rescue or animal shelter and donate just $5 in Betty White’s name,” the graphic reads. “Make her 100th birthday the movement she deserves.”
According to Meta, more than 390,000 people have donated to fundraisers on Facebook and Instagram for the #BettyWhiteChallenge, raising R191 million for animal shelters across the world.
On Friday, Betty White’s team posted a pre-recorded video on her social media accounts, where the late star thanked her fans for all the love and support over the years.
The team wrote a thank you to the world in the post.
“Good morning! As we continue to see numbers coming in from all over the world — it’s just absolutely amazing how much money all of you raised for the animals through #thebettywhitechallenge
She could never have imagined such an outpouring of love and would have been so grateful to everyone. When we recorded her special message to fans who attended the movie, we also recorded one that we had planned to put on social media on her birthday. She was using the occasion of her 100th birthday to celebrate YOU – her fans. She knew how lucky she was; she felt the love, and she never took it for granted. I think it’s appropriate to post today as a thank you from Betty and the animals.”
If you are looking for an animal charity to support, you can check out our 2022 charity list here.
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