“Utterly bowled over!!!” was how Sarah Hamilton, the founder of the Just A Card campaign described how she feels, having absolutely smashed all of its targets for an ambitious Crowdfunder. “I’m finally coming to terms with being someone who uses a lot of exclamation marks !!!!!”
Taking what Sarah recognised was a bold “it’s now or never” decision, she launched a Crowdfunder to raise much needed funds for the grassroots volunteer-led initiative which supports independent shops, designers and small businesses, enabling it to improve the resources it provides.
![Above: Greeting card publisher and artist Angela Chick created this to encourage people to donate through the Crowdfunder.](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/5B.-Screenshot-2020-07-07-at-11.22.27.png)
Attracting phenomenal support right from the off, reaching its initial target of raising £10,000 in just one day (to pay for new and updated posters for retailers, as well as a website revamp and pitch in towards the running costs), Sarah then set a second target, to get to 1,000 backers.
With a day in hand before the Crowdfunder came to close, over £23,000 had been raised as a result of donations from almost 1,400 supporters.
![Above: A limited edition print, featuring a poem by The Bespoke Bard and illustrations by Jessica Hogarth that is sold to raise money for the Just A Card campaign.](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/5C.-Just-a-Card-Screenshot-2020-07-07-at-11.16.06.png)
As Sarah explains “Just A Card is a call to action! By using cards as an example, the message reminds people that all sales however small, just a card, just a book, just a gift keep independents in business – and they are so worth it and enrich our lives.”
In the five years since it began, the campaign has made such a big impact because it goes further than simply saying ‘Shop Local’ – it makes people think. Now some 17,000 shops and galleries all over the world display the Just A Card sticker in their windows helping to increase awareness and its Indie Week activity has received widespread acclaim.
![Above: The Just A Card enamel pin badges, featuring artwork by Angela Chick have been a hugely popular among supporters.](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/5D.-Screenshot-2020-07-07-at-11.16.43.png)
Work is now underway on designing the new Just A Card resources. Initially these will be available on the current website, but will be transferred to a sparkly new website once it has been built.