Fundraising ideas

We know fundraising can be daunting when you’re trying to get started, so we’ve put together some ideas, hints and tips to set your imagination in motion…

Try a sponsored event

You could do a sponsored silence, head shave, treasure hunt, swim, walk, cycle or run. Or maybe even a sponsored job swap!

Eat, drink, be merry...and generous

Are your cooking skills on a par with Nigella or Gordon? Why not turn a dinner party into a fundraising opportunity and ask friends to give a donation. You could hold a coffee morning, cake sale or have a bake-a-thon.

At work with your colleagues

You could hold a pyjama party, handcuff yourself to your boss, have a baby photo competition, start a penalties box or play boardroom bingo.

Other ideas

If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, christening or wedding, why not use the occasion as a fundraising opportunity by asking for donations instead of gifts. If you feel it is time to clear out your clutter, a car boot sale would provide a golden opportunity to convert unwanted presents and goods to cash for charity.

Hints and tips

Planning is essential for successful fundraising.

• Be innovative – try and organise something fun and original. Not sure what to do? - see our list of fundraising ideas for some inspiration!
• Get as much help as you can. Enlist your friends, family or work colleagues, a small group can achieve so much more. Allocate specific jobs to your helpers.
• Timing and venue are key. Think about the best time of year for your event; avoid any clashes with major sporting or national events! Pick a suitable venue for your fundraising and make sure it has the appropriate facilities. You can always keep it simple and hold the event at home, at the office or in your garden.
• See if your employer offers a matched-giving scheme. You could find yourself raising twice as much with no additional effort!
• Aim to raise at least three times as much as you spend. Keep expenses to a minimum and try to get items and services donated.
• If you are spending money, keep all yuor receipts. By keeping a record of money spent and received, you will have an idea of how the event is going as well as who you need to thank.
• Gift Aid it - the Gift Aid scheme allows us to claim back tax paid on eligible donations made by individuals. You can increase the money you raise by getting people to fill in a Gift Aid declaration form or ticking the box on your sponsorship form.
• Spread the word; invite friends, family, colleagues, neighbours and even business contacts. Social networking sites will get your event in front of thousands of people. The more people who know, the more you are likely to raise.
• Do take some photos for us as we’d love to add them to our website or Facebook page.
• Charity fundraising is regulated by law so please look at our Fundraising Guidelines to keeping your fundraising legal.
• Don’t forget to let us know that you are fundraising for us so that we can provide you with the necessary authorisation.