Women in Medway have been getting involved in an online campaign to raise awareness of cancer.
The #nomakeupselfie campaign was started on Social Media sites including Facebook on Tuesday and Cancer Research UK say they have since received over 800,000 donations.
The ‘no make up selfie’ involves women posting photos of themselves with no make up onbefore making a donation to Cancer Research UK and nominating their online friends to do the same.
Although the charity were not involved in starting off the trend, they have welcomed the donations, which have reached over £1 million.
Various Facebook pages in support of ‘ No Make up Selfies for Cancer Awareness’ have also been set up and Cancer Research has seen a rise in the amount of people visiting their website and shops across the country.
It is thought the campaign could have been inspired by author Laura Lipman’s barefaced photograph she posted of herself on Twitter last week after actress Kim Novak was criticised for her appearance at the Oscars.
The amount of Facebook and Twitter users using the hashtag #nomakeupselfie has meant the campaign has gone viral and Medway residents have been getting in on the act too, in order to raise awareness of cancer and some money as well.
Elizabeth Goodearl, 19 from Rochester posted her selfie last night and donated to Cancer Research UK.
She said: “I debated it for some time but I didn’t see any harm in doing so plus it’s for a good cause.”
Memphis Tether, 20 from Gillingham said: “I wasn’t nominated, I just wanted to do it and give some money. I did it because I massively support cancer research and used to work there.
“I donate to cancer research all year round.”
Tori Beal, 21 from Chatham said: “I was nominated by Steph Halmkan, who is my best friend and I did it because cancer has affected us and our families in a huge way and any help to raise awareness and money to fund research for a cure is a really worthy cause.
“I did donate as well I text beat to 70 007 and I also pledged to complete the pretty muddy 5k challenge in July.”
Yasmin Hewitt, 20 from Chatham decided to join in because cancer has affected her family.
She said: “I did it because recently my cousin/best friend found out she has leukemia and I’ve seen that this has boosted donations in charities, so it’s not pointless.”
Holly Nickalls, 26 from Ashford said she was persuaded to get involved because of her work friends and she likes “to help with charities.
Laura- Jane Gilby , is 21 and from Rainham. She posted her #nomakeupselfie because it is an issue close to her heart.
She said: “I was nominated by a friend at uni, Emily Williams and a friend from home, Heather Lewis. Cancer has personally affected my family mainly the women on my mother’s side.
“I’ve had an auntie pass away from cervical cancer, and an auntie andmy mum both have hysterectomies for pre cancerous cells. Cervical cancer is also linked to breast cancer and most sufferers are at higher risk of obtaining the other cancer.
“It does mean that at some point I will have to go through the testing process but not until I’m 25. Unfortunately there is still a battle to lower that age.”
Men have also been doing their bit by posting their version of a selfie, wearing make up.
Carolan Davidge, director of communications at Cancer Research UK said, “The #nomakeupselfie Twitter trend isn’t something Cancer Research UK started – but it’s great to see so many people getting involved to help raise awareness of cancer amongst their friends and family. If people would like to choose to support our work to
beat cancer sooner, they can visit www.cruk.org.”
To donate to the cause, text ‘BEAT’ to 70099.