Twitter users again demonstrated their generosity last Thursday as social media users around the world came together to raise money for educational charity Concern Worldwide. The regular Twestival event had raised more than $350,000 globally at the time of going to press and was supported at cities around the world, from San Francisco to Exeter, from Madrid to Melbourne.

This represents a massive improvement on the first Twestival event in February 2009, which raised around $250,000 for water projects in India, Uganda and Ethiopia. This year’s event also attracted celebrity endorsement with prizes donated by Paris Hilton, Justin Bieber, Jamie Oliver, Imogen Heap and Counting Crows.

During the 24-hour global event more than £36,000 was raised in the UK and Ireland, which Concern Worldwide estimates could build three new schools in developing countries.

Karen Gallagher, Head of Concern Northern Ireland, said of the event: “All of us at Concern Worldwide are very excited to be involved with the fourth annual Twestival and would like to thank everyone involved across the world for helping to raise vital funds and awareness for our education programmes. Twestival is such a fantastic example of the difference that can be made when individuals join together to volunteer and take action.”

Getting social

NMK attended one of the UK’s biggest events, London Twestival at the Cable club in London Bridge, which was attended by 600 Twitterers. The London event, sponsored by technology companies Sonos, Iomart Hosting and Viadeo alone “smashed” its own target of £10,000 by 20 per cent.

As well as a number of emerging musical acts and karaoke provided by Lucky Voice, the event was attended by famous bloggers, including sex blogger Zoe Margolis – the Girl with the One Track Mind – who signed copies of her book, and BitchBuzz’s Cate Sevilla.

The head of the London Twestival organising committee is Elizabeth Varley.

“Twestival London was an amazing night. We had drinks, music, burritos, cupcakes, prizes, smoothies, karaoke, giant jenga, mask-making, live bands, and of course Concern Worldwide was there too,” she told NMK. “Our fantastic result, smashing our target, is not only a testament to the hard work of our great team and volunteers, but the support of our sponsors and of course the generosity and spirit of Twestival-goers.”

To see pictures of London Twestival 2010, please click here.