While Band Aid 30s version of Do They Know Its Christmas? looks set to be number one in the charts this Sunday, and raise millions towards the Ebola crisis in West Africa, mobile solutions firm Oxygen8 was enabling fans to donate even before the single was released.

Through an SMS-based competition that involved texting a short code to a premium number, the UK public were able to start donating to the charity ahead of the single hitting shops.

Oxygen8 worked closely with UK mobile networks to ensure that all of the proceeds from the £1.50 SMS fee, excluding VAT, went directly to Band Aid 30 to help fight the Ebola crisis.

The campaign was promoted in The Sun newspaper and gave one person the chance to attending the recording of Do They Know Its Christmas? and meet the artists involved, including One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Emeli Sande and Bono.

“Mobile is going to play a major role in raising money for Band Aid 30,” said organiser Sir Bob Geldof. “Even before the track has been recorded, the SMS-based competition had raised a significant amount to help fight the Ebola crisis.”

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