If your children enjoy a more hectic social life than most adults you know, attending birthday parties every week, you might be interested in a new initiative which encourages parents to give a donation to the aid agency GOAL instead of buying a birthday card for their children’s friends.

A child can now get a sticker along with their present, letting them know that a donation was made to GOAL on their behalf. The donation sticker has been launched by Mum Tara Cassidy, Irish rugby international Reggie Corrigan and GOAL.

As a mother of two young children, Tara spends her time ferrying them around to parties, spending money on both a present and a card, which is usually thrown away after a few days. Now Tara has come up with this innovative solution which she has already tested on her children’s friends, who were delighted with the idea that they were helping children who were suffering in the developing world.

“My children go to so many parties every year and it seemed a waste to spend lots of money on an expensive birthday card that ends up in the bin, when GOAL can put that money to good use helping the poorest of the poor. All of my friends are now doing the same thing and the children love it. More and more outlets are taking the stickers now and they’re also available through GOAL,” said Tara.

Reggie Corrigan has also lent his support to the campaign, saying: “I'm delighted to support this initiative. It's a great idea and will raise much-needed funds for GOAL. It will also raise awareness among children that not everyone has as much as them.”

For more information, or to get your stickers, contact GOAL UK on 020 7631 3196 or info@goal-uk.org