Inspirational Ideas

Think big!

The bigger the better! The fastest way to kick start your fundraising is to speak to your employer and ask if they will match what you raise or at least make a substantial donation. Many companies are very willing to support their employees in this way and may have a specific budget for this type of donation. In return you could contact local press and generate some coverage as thanks for their support.

Break it down

The more people you ask to sponsor you, the more money you will raise - it's that simple. Ask everyone you know and ask them to ask everyone they know. You will be surprised who is willing to help you out with your sponsorship. People like to feel involved. Take time to create a plan and break your fundraising target into manageable amounts.

Here's a list to get you started:-

  • Family and friends
  • Work contacts
  • Previous employees
  • Colleagues
  • Neighbours
  • Your local pub/shop/bank

We asked one of our supporters how she raised funds for her recent trek in Peru. Here's how she did it:-

  • Wrote to 10 local companies
  • Asked 15 family/personal friends for a donation and to gift aid the donation
  • Organised a fundraising ball with raffle and auction
  • Put collection boxes in different outlets
  • Organised a disco with raffle
  • Collection at local football club
  • Support from local yoga class through sponsored yoga event and individual donations
  • Two car boot sales

Some fundraising ideas

There are lots of things that you can do - here are a few ideas:-

  • Have a themed party in a local bar
  • Get some pledges from friends, family and colleagues
  • Car boot sale
  • Quiz night
  • Hold a BBQ or a dinner party and invite everyone to make a donation
  • Donate your services for a day, clean cars, iron clothes, make the tea at work
  • Dress down day at work
  • Raffle in the workplace
  • Write to a least five close clients or suppliers
  • Bag packing/collection at your local supermarket
  • Donation rather than birthday presents
  • Set up an online donation form and email to everyone you know
  • Guess the baby competition
  • Willing volunteer from your office gets a head/moustache/beard shave or leg/chest wax

Create your own web page

This is a great source of fundraising as you can email all your friends and family wherever they are in the world and they can donate online at the click of a button. Plus online donations from UK taxpayers collect a 28% bonus.

   Click here to check this out.

Publicise your event

Get the local press/radio involved. It's great to let people in your area know what you are doing. It is also a good opportunity to plug your justgiving web page if you have one.

Writing to companies

Only write to companies that you have a contact in - otherwise you could receive a lot of rejection letters.

Where possible ask for payment up front

If possible ask your sponsors to donate up front. If you are using sponsorship forms make sure that you ask people who are likely to donate the most first as normally other people will follow suit. Carry your sponsor forms with you everywhere; you never know where the opportunity may arise to get sponsorship.

And finally ... Keep smiling!

You are always going to get some knock backs but don't let them put you off, it's all part of the fundraising challenge. Smile