Go fund my election!
A candidate for next year’s local elections in county Cork has taken a novel approach to raising funds for her election campaign.
Isobel Towse, who hopes to be elected to Cork County Council as a representative for the Social Democrats, is using crowdfunding website gofundme.com to raise funds to cover the costs of running her campaign.
Although GoFundMe may more typically be associated with fundraising for charity, Ms Towse has received many messages of support from donors, some of whom chose to remain anonymous.
The Sherkin Island native has raised close to €2,000 in just four days, with her target now set at €3,000 having started out at €1,500.
If elected, Ms Towse would represent the Skibbereen LEA which she says was her local town growing up.
“I am so excited to be running in the local elections for Skibbereen - West Cork LEA. Can you help me with my election campaign?” she wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“It would be an honour to represent West Cork communities on the council and help to bring about the changes we desperately need,” she added.
Ms Towse has spent the last ten years renting and working in Clonakilty and Rosscarbery, “teaching music and working in some incredible small businesses”.
“The environment, the arts, issues affecting families, small businesses, and mental health are all areas I am passionate about and would advocate strongly for on Cork County Council. “As a country, we have some major issues to sort out - the housing crisis, the health service.
“We also need more women in decision making roles. Only 30% of Cork county councillors are women. 16% of Cork city councillors are women and the whole of Cork has just one female TD, Holly Cairns, Leader of the Social Democrats.”
To reach every voter in the Skibbereen area, Ms Towse said €10 will help her to pay for an election poster, while €100 will help her pay for 2,000 leaflets.
As a note of importance, Ms Towse informed donors that donations can only be accepted by residents of the Republic of Ireland or Irish citizens abroad. She also said she can not accept donations over €1,000 from one person and cannot take an anonymous donation of over €100.