A social media campaign to buy healthcare workers a coffee has raised tens of thousands of dollars and taken off across Australia and in New Zealand.
In the Illawarra, Sally O'Brien and her friends wanted to do something nice for healthcare workers battling the coronavirus pandemic, so they went online and asked them what they would like.
"The majority of them said it would simply be a cup of coffee," she said.
From there, she joined the Buy Them A Coffee donation drive and set up a local Go Fund Me page.
The fundraiser idea has been gathering momentum across Australia, amassing more than $39,000 in Sydney, $17,000 in Melbourne and nearly $4,000 in Wollongong.
It is looking to expand across all Australian states, and also recently launched in New Zealand.
Each local campaign teams up with a cafe near a hospital to provide a convenient cuppa for healthcare workers.
It is also doubling as a valuable source of business, as cafes across the country struggle with a downturn in trade due to the impact of coronavirus.
"We feel blessed to be a part of an initiative that is helping both healthcare workers and small businesses that have to adapt and reinvent themselves to fit these uncertain and unpredictable times," Meni Cafe Wollongong director Ximena Jaque said.
She said the fundraiser had provided an easy avenue for people to show their support without leaving the house.
"We have been overwhelmed with the generosity and support that we have received over the past few days," she said.
"When going outside is risky, but knowing healthcare workers don't have a choice, social media has been a platform of support in more ways than one."
'Emotionally uplifting'
The Buy Them A Coffee Instagram page was also started to enable hospital staff to thank the community.
"Our healthcare workers are the frontline in this global pandemic, and having this support from their own community has brought tears to more than a few," Ms O'Brien said.
"They've shared that it has been mentally and emotionally uplifting to know that the community is behind them and want to support in whatever way they can.
"We would like to say thank you, not only to the community for getting behind us but our healthcare workers who battle for us."
She said the social media response had made checking her phone in the morning a pleasure.
"Waking up and seeing the pictures and Instagram stories come in from the healthcare workers across all the different regions fills me with happiness.
"It's a testament to the positive power of social media, and how a small cuppa can fill many people's hearts."
