Vodafone and 2 Degrees launch text donations

2:28pm: Users of all mobile networks are now able to use a text service to donate to victims through Red Cross.

Customers of any mobile network can send a blank message to 4419 to make an instant $3 donation.

Telecom, 2 Degrees and Vodafone have all worked together to waive fees for the service, Telecom said in a statement.

11:30am: Vodafone and 2 Degrees have partnered with the Red Cross to collect donations for victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

Vodafone customers can donate either $3 or $5 to the cause by texting ‘Quake’ to either 333 for a $3 donation or 555 for a $5 donation.

The company, between the international Vodafone Group Foundation and Vodafone NZ, has donated $500,000 to the Red Cross appeal, and Vodafone UK has set up a text donation number in recognition of the number of Kiwis living in the UK.

2 Degrees customers can also donate $3 via text by sending a blank text message to 306.

Telecom is not running text donations until the network is more stable, according to Telecom New Zealand's Twitter account.