Step 2 - Fundraising ideas
Sometimes it is hard to start asking for help or sponsorship, but you will be surprised at how many people are willing to lend a hand or support you when they know what you are trying to achieve and why.
Sponsored by kilometre
The conventional way of fundraising is asking people to sponsor you per kilometre. However there are more fun ways to encourage people to dip into their pockets…
Great ideas that have worked…
- Auction of a promise - persuade people to donate a promise of their time or the use of their belongings, or to donate a gift. You can even ask people to donate themselves and auction them as slaves for the day.
- That's my baby - get baby photos and run a competition to see who can guess which bundle of fun has become which adult. Suitable for any workplace or club.
- Sports match - have a knockout cricket, netball or football contest and get people to pay to join a team. Charge admission to all your spectators and sell refreshments.
- Dinner and dance - everyone loves to dress up and party. Arrange a band/disco and food and charge a reasonable price. Organise a raffle and/or an auction.
- Fashion show - ask a local clothes shop to put on a show in conjunction with your company.
- Quiz night - gather your friends and family at the pub / club or office with prizes for the best team, most inventive answer etc.
- Karaoke evening - ask a local pub to host one for you and charge people to play.
- Race night - hold a video race night in aid of the charity.
- St Paddy's Day delight - why not go the whole hog like they do in New York, with a dress in green day and a ‘pot o' gold' tombola. You could get sponsored to spend the whole day dressed as a leprechaun.
- Easter Egg-citement - hand paint hen's eggs for each other and donate the money you would have spent on chocolate eggs. Or if you can't resist the lure of chocolate, get an Easter egg donated and raffle it off at work.
- Midsummer's day - celebrate the longest day by organising your own ‘longest' events. The might include sponsored sports marathons, creating the longest line of coins from donations or perhaps persuading friends and family to stay longer in the office and donate their overtime to your fundraising target.
Another great way to get your employer to support you is to ask them to match what you have raised. Many companies already do this or have similar schemes again, don't be afraid to ask.
