Beatbullying’s digital campaign the Big March 2012 will now take place on 1 March instead of 31 January as was originally planned.

A spokeswoman told civilsociety.co.uk that the postponement was due to "high demand" but a later statement on its website said that the date change was due to “some incredibly exciting news”. The spokeswoman advised that further details would be released soon.

The Big March 2012 will be the world’s first virtual, global protest and has now gained over 500,000 registrations from individuals and organisations around the world including Brazil, Poland, USA and South Africa.

The march should last two days across the websites of global brands and charities culminating in the delivery of a petition at the United Nations Building in New York asking the UN to explicitly enshrine ‘bullying’ in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Beatbullying announced plans for the online march last November following the success of the Big March 2010 in the UK and originally intended it to coincide with Anti-Bullying Week.

Celebrities supporting the campaign include Twiggy, Sir Michael Parkinson, Jedward, Pixie Lott and Aston Merrygold and charities and brands already supporting the campaign this year include Nominet Trust, Barry M, Robinson Fruit Shoot, Girlguiding UK, Facebook and Universal Music. 

People who sign up to the Big March 2012 get their own avatar* and username which will cross all of the partner websites when the march starts. Before the march people can 'hang out' in an online park where corporate partners have tents with activities.

Organisations and individuals wishing to take part can sign up for the Big March 2012 online here.

*an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or their alter ego