Greetings charity friends. If you are anything like Diary, you stayed up far too late last night watching the election coverage, which quickly somersaulted into looking at the bottom of many an empty beer bottle. Go figure.
The election night was historic in more ways than one.
Alongside the Labour landslide, new PM Keir Starmer was pictured fervently shaking hands with his staunch opponent Elmo, Jacob Rees-Mogg heard he lost his seat while standing next to a man wearing a baked bean balaclava, and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey danced the night away to Sweet Caroline.
Charities got involved with the big day by encouraging the public to go out and vote in the interest of their causes, as well as encouraging them to bring their cute mascots along. Obviously.
RSPB
RSPB asked the British public to take pictures of any birds they saw at the polling stations, in a bid to take on the famous #DogsAtPollingStations trend.
Some may say this was quackers... But the charity's supporters delivered, with some taking artificial birds along with them to cast their votes.
Voters!
— RSPB (@Natures_Voice) July 3, 2024
Spot a bird at the polls tomorrow? 🐦
Snap a pic and post with #BirdsAtPollingStations to spread some love for nature this election day.
Let's give #DogsAtPollingStations a run for its money...
PS: Artificial birdies very welcome. pic.twitter.com/RIfcuqDGFc
RSPCA
Unsurprisingly, RSPCA got involved with the #DogsAtPollingStations trend so that pooches could get engaged in pawlitics...
It's time for our Election Day highlight... #DogsAtPollingStations! Share your pics of your pooch down below ⤵️🐕
— RSPCA (England & Wales) (@RSPCA_official) July 4, 2024
Looking for a canine companion to join you at future elections? Meet our #DogsNotAtPollingStations: https://t.co/W48ygY8cFV @VotingDogs #GeneralElection2024 pic.twitter.com/NBjFwatRRc
Mind
Mind jumped on the bandwagon too, and received replies including lots of furry voters... One hopes they did not forget their ID.
Pawlitics 🐶 Send us your pets at the polling station please 😎 #dogsatpollingstations #GeneralElection2024 pic.twitter.com/2SokZud6Vx
— Mind (@MindCharity) July 4, 2024
RNIB
The charity for blind and partially sighted people, RNIB, has been raising awareness of how people with sight problems may not be able to vote independently.
In the video below, the charity shows how a blind or partially sighted person can use technology and AI to vote independently.
What ways can a blind or partially sighted person vote independently and in secret?
— RNIB (@RNIB) July 3, 2024
RNIB is working to find voting solutions that work for everyone.
Tom demonstrates how you can use apps like @ByMyEyes and Seeing AI.#BlindVotersCount pic.twitter.com/h4SwmozEE3
Freedom From Torture
Freedom From Torture CEO Sonya Sceats turned up to the ballot box sporting the charity’s limited edition merch.
We vote in style @FreefromTorture 🗳️ 💙 pic.twitter.com/dDcRgwd4lc
— Sonya Sceats 🧡 (@SonyaSceats) July 4, 2024
The winds of change
Diary is hopeful about what the new government will bring, and fingers crossed it’s lots of cash and care for the charity sector.
And finally, what we are all thinking: it is a crying shame that Larry the Cat has not been left to run things himself. But as a staunch animal enthusiast, here’s hoping he likes his new tenants. We will continue to follow his political career closely.
Time for a change...#Larry4Leader #YesWeCat #GeneralElection pic.twitter.com/rlWlP4fiLD
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) May 23, 2024
