EX-TANAISTE Joan Burton has donated €650 to Michael D Higgins’ presidential campaign as he failed to raise the €50,000 he hoped to get from a web funding drive.

The President hoped to make the cash in just four weeks — but, as of last night, it was just under €30,000.

Ex-Tanaiste Joan Burton donated €650 to President Higgins’ campaign

Organisers of the fundraising drive have now extended the deadline to donate by three days.

The crowdfunding drive has been pushed on social media with punters being asked to “chip in” as “every euro counts”.

It says a tenner would pay for a poster, while a €50 donation would go to online ads.

But the poor response has led the campaign opting to increase the deadline by three more days in a bid to bring in the cash.

Higgins set up a crowdfund as part of his campaign

And among the donors were two ex-Labour figures. Former party leader Deputy Joan Burton and her husband Pat Carroll parted with €650, saying: “Best wishes for a successful campaign. Look forward to Michael D’s second term as inspirational as ever.”

While Proinsias De Rossa handed over €100. He was Minister for Social Welfare in the 1990s, as well as an MEP up until 2012.

The maximum €1,000 donation was given by four donors who chose to be anonymous — though are known by the campaign — plus a John Sutton.

The campaign has told the Irish Sun they wish to raise €394,000 — not including separate funding by parties, including €70,000 from Labour.

A spokesman said Michael D himself is ponying up €110,000 — leaving a shortfall of €284,000.

He told us: “We envisage that most of our funding will come from small individual donations raised through crowdfunding, donations and fundraising events.

“President Higgins will also make a significant contribution from savings, which we estimate will be in the region of €110,000. We do not envisage any funding from corporate donors or loans.

“We are not receiving any financial donations from any political party, although one member of Labour Party staff is working with the campaign.”

But with only €30,000 raised via the public call, the spending spree is likely to be rolled back.