THIS YEAR WE NEED TO RAISE £15,000 FOR OUR NEXT TRIP

Fundraising can be achieved in any number of ways - look at what's best for you and plan a campaign. Past fundraisers have put on big events and raised hundreds of pounds, while others organize more modest events and friends and family raise money on their behalf. Whichever way you choose to raise funds, here are a few thoughts to help you:-

1. Family and Friends

The more people you ask, the more money you will raise, so recruit you family and friends to help you spread the word. Give them copies of the sponsorship forms and even offer a small prize for the first completed form. Better still, involve them in some fundraising activity on you behalf by making use of their talents; sponsored haircuts, painting and decorating, car repairs - see 'events' for more ideas.

2. It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know!

You probably know different groups of people who you could enlist as sponsors; friends at the sports club, the local pub, work colleagues, suppliers, neighbours, previous employers, ex-colleagues and local schools and groups. Getting support from a local primary school is a great way of gaining sponsorship.

3. Events

Expand you fundraising with additional organized events, giving supporters a variety of ways in which to contribute. Here are some ideas which have raised funds for other charities.

It's the Komso Krew raising money at the annual Santa Dash in Liverpool

Sporty

• Cycle on an exercise bike (get permission from a local supermarket or shopping centre) and get passersby to throw money into a bucket as they watch your efforts. Try selling the hours that you cycle and put up a chart marking your achievement.
• Bungy jumps or parachute jumps
• Squash and other sports tournaments
• Have a charity supper or barbecue
• Treasure hunt - county or country wide. Get them out in their cars!
• Fashion show - theme it to a particular period
• Parties, gigs and dances - local bands may be prepared to perform at a lower rate and could get some catering donated

• Pub crawl collections - borrow some collecting tins (we can let you have some) and rope in some friends, put on fancy dress and visit all your local pubs. Ask the landlord for permission to collect funds - then go for it. You'll not only fill your tins, but you'll give the punters a good laugh as well!
• Disco - 50's, 60's, 70's or 80's - or pick your own theme
• Cheese and wine evening
• Golf competition
• Quiz night
• Charity Ball
• Choir events
• Curry night
• Tea party or coffee morning

Selling

• Make and sell home made preserves or other goodies
• Sponsored haircuts/car repairs/home decorating/cake decoration - get you friends to donate their skills.
• Pin badges - design a badge, find someone to make them cheaply, then sell them
• Car boot sales - display a big sign telling people where the money is going - then ask them to be generous!
• Raffles - local shops may well help you sell tickets and offer prizes
• Tombola
• Card sale
• Craft sale - make bird houses, papier maché bowls, crazy painted pebble animals, paint cheap flower pots and cans - and sell them

Energy Activities

• Do a mini-sponsored event - silence/swim/diet/smoking
• Line dancing - or any other kind of dance class
• Adopt a school - the school can do the fundraising for you (i.e. an own clothes day) and give talks to the kids about the charity
• Charity car wash - against the clock!
• Charity taxi service - your customers pay a little extra towards the charity funds
• Put out box out - for swearing, innuendo, politically incorrect remarks

4. Be Bold And Positive

If you are not embarrassed to let people know what you are doing and you are likely to get a positive response from the public. Pin up a poster or a sponsorship form in your staffroom or canteen, or on a noticeboard in your social/sports club building. Ask your local shops/pub/library to collect sponsors on your behalf. Try asking you bank to sponsor you too- they may just do it!

5. Press and PR

Publicity is the key to your success - get yourself a mention in you company newsletter or contact you local paper and radio station (if you have one) and tell them all about it.

If you would like further information please contact Lynda Lewis on 01590 672 861 or email her at lynda@lewis2285.freeserve.co.uk.