June 10TH, 2010, Apia: Donations from Digicel customers all around Samoa was officially presented to the Manu Samoa 7s team during a press conference at the Digicel head office at Vaimea. The Thank You Manu 7s campaign provided   Digicel customers with the opportunity to text in their $1 donation over a period of 5 days.

“Digicel recognised the need for everyone in Samoa to participate in the celebration regardless of where they live and that was the main reason why the Thank You Manu 7s campaign was set up,” said Pepe Christian Fruean, CEO of Digicel Samoa. “I want the 7s team to know that every $1 we have collected from this campaign is a thank you from the people of Samoa and we collected 20,000 of them.”

Digicel added $42,000 to the campaign fund to make up the $62,000 and this was presented to the Manu Samoa 7s team and Management. The $20,000 also included larger amounts that were hand delivered to the Digicel office with receipts issued to several organisations and individuals who wanted to contribute to the Thank You Manu 7s campaign.

The campaign was a partnership between Digicel and several media organisations who contributed time and space to encourage Digicel customers to donate.

“I would like to thank Samoa Observer, TV1 and TV3 for assisting Digicel with the Thank You Manu 7s campaign,” added Mr. Fruean
 
Digicel has also started looking at the future with the presentation of $100,000 as a development fund for the team to prepare them for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the 2010/2011 IRB Series. The fund will allow the Head Coach to offer incentive to members of the training squad to push hard for a spot in the travelling 12.

“The whole country is on a high with Samoa’s first World Champion achievement and Digicel wants to look to the future now and give the Manu 7s management a $100,000 cash to put their plan in place to allow Samoa more honours with future tournaments,” said Pepe