On Saturday, April 25, we celebrated ERIK's day our secondhand stores. Thanks to the tremendous dedication of volunteers, visitors, and customers, sales totaled 3,626,625 Swedish kronor (SEK). These funds will support our work for children’s rights.
Every year on April 25, we celebrate ERIK's day our secondhand stores across Sweden. It’s a day when we honor the memory of our founder, Erik Nilsson—and at the same time make a real difference for children around the world. Every day, our stores’ surplus goes surplus children’s rights. But on ERIK's day , the entire day’s proceeds ERIK's day to Erikshjälpen’s children’s rights work. Since ERIK's day in 2008, the day has raised a total of 44 million Swedish kronor (SEK).
New sales record
Thanks to the tremendous dedication of volunteers, customers, and visitors, this year’s ERIK’s Day was a huge success. Together, we set a new sales record for ERIK's day raised 3,626,625 Swedish kronor (SEK) children’s rights to education, health, safety, and protection.
Celebrations at many stores
Several stores celebrated with activities for both children and adults. These included face painting, crafts, and contests. Some locations featured bouncy castles and visits from groups such as the fire department.
Together for Children's Rights
Thank you to everyone who participated and made this day possible. Together, we will continue our work for children’s rights.
We are now launching a new tool that makes it easy for private individuals, Corporate organizations to start their own fundraising campaigns to support Erikshjälpen’s work for children’s rights.
Celebrate, run, create, and sing for the children! Now, private individuals, Corporate organizations can easily start their own fundraising campaigns via erikshjalpen.se. When you start your fundraising , you fundraising choose a name, set a goal, and get materials to print or share on social media. All funds raised go toward Erikshjälpen’s work for children’s rights.
For example, you can start a fundraising connection with a birthday, a concert, a race, or a yard sale. Everyone who starts a fundraising support from Donor services, which helps promote and track the fundraiser.
Want to learn more? Visit " Start fundraiser " or contact Donor services if you have any questions.
Tomas Bjöersdorff from Kalmar launched a fundraiser celebrate his 70th birthday. A large party was held with the theme “The Group Trip,” and together the guests raised 14,700 SEK Erikshjälpen’s work in Bangladesh.
"It was a party to remember! Life begins at 70, everything before that is research," Tomas says enthusiastically.
The invitation stated, "If you would like to contribute, Tomas would appreciate a donation to Erikshjälpen's work in Bangladesh, which is close to his heart." The appeal was well received, and the collection ended up raising 14 Swedish kronor (SEK)700 Swedish kronor (SEK).
– Many people know my story and my connection to Erikshjälpen. That's why it felt natural to start fundraising something that meant a lot to me.
Instead of a flower for 300 Swedish kronor (SEK) me, it could be a food package.
I think many people can relate to this—you have most things, and what you don't have, you can get yourself. But everyone wants to join in and celebrate and help; they probably felt that the collection for the children was an important cause. Instead of a flower for 300 Swedish kronor (SEK) me, it could be a food package.
Starting a fundraiser difficult. But before you do, Tomas recommends taking some time to think it over and do your own research.
– I think it's important to consider what you want to support and what the money will contribute to. For me, it was natural to choose Erikshjälpen. I am familiar with their work for children and I know that the money will reach its destination. Erikshjälpen has low administrative costs and I have seen for myself what a difference it makes for the children.
Author: Frida Vingren
Therese "Tessan" Blåsol and her friend Helena Simonsson had previously walked 100,000 steps in a day just for fun. When it was time to hike again, they wanted to combine business with pleasure and therefore chose to raise money for a good cause at the same time.
"Children are very close to both our hearts. We chose Erikshjälpen because it is the organization that spends the least money on administration and the most on its purpose," says Tessan.
Therese Blåsol. Photo: Private
Therese Blåsol and Helena Simonsson. Photo: Private
Therese Blåsol. Photo: Private
Therese Blåsol and Helena Simonsson. Photo: Private
It's much more fun when you contribute to something!
The first route chosen by the sports-mad friends was between Skummeslövstrand and Ängelholm. The hike took them all the way around the Bjäre Peninsula, and they were able to donate one gift for every 10,000 steps they took. In total, they raised 9,000 Swedish kronor (SEK).
"It's much more fun when you contribute to something good. The world is the way it is, and I can't fix everything myself, but I can do something small. Hopefully, our 100,000 steps can inspire others to contribute in their own small way," says Tessan.
Two years later, in the spring of 2025, it was time again. This time, Therese and Helena chose to stay close to home and hike around Lake Vittsjön in northern Skåne. The hike began at five in the morning, and for each lap around the lake, participants could donate any amount they wished.
By eleven o'clock in the evening, they had reached 100,000 steps and collected 7,000 Swedish kronor (SEK).
– We were pretty exhausted afterwards. The weather also has a big impact. Last time, it was wet and rainy at the start, and then it rained even more, which really hurt our feet and gave us lots of blisters. It took a long time to recover.
Don't overthink it, just go for it, it's not that difficult.
They have used Facebook and Instagram to spread the word about the fundraising campaign to as many people as possible. At the same time, it is difficult to stand out in the noise. Ahead of the second hike, they therefore started an event on Facebook to make it as easy as possible to follow the fundraising campaign.
Simplicity is something that Tessan emphasizes a little extra.
– Don't overthink it, just go for it, it's not that difficult. And have fun – it should be enjoyable, pleasurable, and inspire others.
Author: Johan Larsson
Photo: Private
Therese Blåsol and Helena Simonsson. Photo: Private
Photo: Private
Therese Blåsol and Helena Simonsson. Photo: Private
Svante Wendal is going to ski slalom and for every meter of altitude he manages, money is raised for children living on the streets in Uganda. In the past, Svante has raised over 20,000 Swedish kronor (SEK) for Erikshjälpen when he swam for children in Ukraine!
Svante will complete the challenge in Sälen on Tuesday of week 16. Several people have chosen to sponsor Svante's fundraising where they promise a certain amount for each meter of altitude that he manages to complete during Tuesday on the slopes. Svante's father Markus is helping him with the administrative side of things.
Svante Wendal from Bodafors raises money for children in Uganda through a slalom challenge. Photo: Markus Wendal
Svante Wendal from Bodafors raises money for children in Uganda through a slalom challenge. Photo: Markus Wendal
Svante wants to donate the money collected to Erikshjälpen's work for children living on the streets in Uganda. The work is to support children to get away from life on the street and be reunited with their families.
Svante's father Markus explains on Facebook how you can support Svante's fundraising by becoming a sponsor of the challenge. If you want to support Svante with a single sum, you can swish to 900 92 83 and mark your payment with "Svante".
Two years ago, Helena and Tessan walked 100,000 steps for the first time. They were determined to do it again, and now the time has come! On Friday, May 19, they will walk 100,000 steps in 24 hours. As part of the challenge, they’ve started a fundraiser Erikshjälpen, where they’re raising money to support children’s right to safety and protection.
The idea to start a fundraiser Erikshjälpen came about because two friends, Helena and Tessan, wanted to take on the challenge of walking 100,000 steps in 24 hours again, two years after they last did it.
-"We did it, and it's the hardest and most fun thing we've ever done! says Tessan.
After that walk, they knew they wanted to do it again on another occasion, combining business with pleasure and raising money for a good cause.
“I did some research and eventually found Erikshjälpen, because they have the highest percentage of donations that actually go toward the cause they’re raising funds for, and because we were able to set up a fundraiser we can see exactly how much we manage to raise,” Tessan explains.
Their fundraising will last throughout the walk, and will go towards our work for children's right to safety and protection.
Tessan and Helena are great examples of how to make a positive change in the world by combining a personal challenge with a meaningful cause. By walking 100,000 steps in just 24 hours, they have not only demonstrated what an individual can achieve, but they are also inspiring others to get involved in important issues.
Support Helena and Tessan's fundraising
Swisha "100 000 steps" to 9009283 to support Helena and Tessan's fundraising for children's right to safety and protection.
Would you like to start a fundraiser Erikshjälpen?
If you’re inspired by Tessan and Helena’s efforts and would like to support our work for children’s rights, you can easily start your own fundraiser Erikshjälpen.
Every gift matters and can make a big difference in a child's life. Together, we can all do our part to create a better world for children.
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