Paying it forward: nominations open!

According to Wikipedia (how did we ever live without it?), the expression “pay it forward” is used to describe the concept of asking that a good deed be repaid by having it done to others instead”.

DV mission control. Don’t worry – be happy!

Most of us have probably seen the film, had a good cry, and then thought: “lovely idea, but this would never happen in real life.”

We here at DV mission control, however, have a little good karma story to share about a Venturer who has shown us that even small gestures have a big impact.

At our launch party, we announced that we would be giving away a free Dig for a Day experience to anyone who funded us, at any level, during the first 24 hours. At 5:00 pm on Thursday, we randomly picked a name, and duly awarded the prize to Matt Law.

Matt, it turns out, is an archaeologist (go figure), and this is the reply we received:

Matt Law

How exciting, thank you! I never win anything.

 I think it would be best if I gift the prize, however. Although a day on such an amazing site would be very meaningful to me, I get paid to dig as a day job and have been spoilt for incredible on-site experiences, so I can’t help but think somebody not actively involved in archaeology might get more out of the opportunity.

 Would it be at all possible for you to identify somebody who might benefit from the prize? I’m sorry to create more work for you, but the prize is a really good opportunity, especially for somebody in the local community or somebody looking to get some experience in archaeology.”

So now we’re stuck. Matt has given us a challenge – it just simply won’t be good enough to make another random choice – we need to honour his generosity and give the day of digging away to someone who will really benefit.

With that in mind: we are now accepting nominations to receive the dig.

Please write to us at info@digventures.com and tell us (in 150 words or less) who should receive this gift, and why. A few details will be useful about the nominee, but mostly we want to know what it will mean to them to spend a day excavating at Flag Fen. We’ll make our decision on 15th March – beware, the Ides! – and make the announcement then.

And many thanks to Matt Law, for paying it forward!

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Written by Lisa Westcott Wilkins

Founder and Co-CEO at DigVentures, Lisa makes sure the boxes are ticked, the diggers run on time, and that everyone has a *really* good time along the way. She is responsible for the Americanisms, ridiculously strong site coffee and early morning DV dance parties.

Read more from Lisa Westcott Wilkins +

Comments (3)

  1. Claire Calver says:

    I nominate Claire Calver a keen Archaeology and History buff. She is a unemployed single mother of 5 and resently divorced she is also on a weight loss programme and is doing really well. As you might imagine she does not have a lot of money to through around and this chance to dig at Flag would mean so much to her. She is a lovely lady and someone who is deserving and would appreciate this so much.

  2. Ivan Clowsley says:

    The above is not written by Claire Calver it’s written by Ivan Clowsley.

  3. Brendon Wilkins says:

    Thanks Ivan – got it!

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