Do you want to plan a Fundraising Event?
Help raise money for the GBS Support Group – let your imagination run wild!
Maybe you are a budding Event Planner or an enthusiastic supporter – it does not matter as we are always grateful to those helping us raise vital funds for the Support Group. If you need a little help getting started read on:
Choose a Fundraising idea
First you must choose what you want to do. There are so many different ideas, some that take more planning than others so always choose something that interests you and that you can enjoy and manage.
You may already have an idea of what to plan, but if not here are a few ideas:
Keeping it simple
| Sponsored slim/workout etc | Babysitting service | Beard shave |
| Hand made cards | Car wash | Carol singing |
| Car boot sale | Dress down day | DIY service |
| Fancy dress event | Guess the weight | Silly hat day |
| Sweepstake | Garden party | Open garden |
| Swear box | Make and bake stall | Bowling night |
A little harder
| Barbeque | Bingo night | Bad taste event |
| Pub games | Pram race | Coffee morning |
| Cheese and wine | Easter egg hunt | Cricket match |
| Treasure hunt | Golf tournament | Tombola |
| Teddy bears' picnic | Ladies' night | Whist drive |
| Snooker competition | Tug of war | Karaoke evening |
And for the serious event planner
| Auction | Ball or dance | Coach trip |
| Fete | Fashion show | Seasonal party |
| Raffle | Race night | Themed night |
| Marathon | Boat race | It’s a knockout |
| Abseiling | Parachuting | Fun run |
Choose a venue
Now you have your fundraising idea, you need to decide where you will hold your event. It could be in someone’s house or garden, at the local school, your workplace or a commercial venue. Don’t forget to mention you are a charity as they may give discount on the booking fee.
For events held in public venue remember you will have to get permission from the venue owner, which could be the local council, housing trust or a private landlord.
Things to consider
- How big does the venue need to be?
- Do you need disabled access?
- Is there sufficient parking and toilet facilities?
- Can people get there easily?
- Will you need insurance?
- Do you need to complete a risk assessment?
Marketing the event
You have planned it, set a date, and got a venue, now you need to let people know about it.
If you are keeping it simple, send an e-mail to your friends and family, use your work intranet or newsletter or put up posters.
If you want to get the local community involved you will also need to ensure posters are in all the main community areas, churches, halls, shops etc and on community noticeboards. Many local newspapers and TV and radio stations have community pages where you can advertise your event. When speaking to local newspapers etc don’t forget to give them a contact name and telephone number to allow them to follow up the story.
Photographs are always good to include in magazines and papers, but remember not everyone likes to have their picture published.
Keep it legal
When raising money for the GBS Support Group, please make sure everything you do is within the law, if you are not sure, please ask! Three basic laws to bear in mind:
- It is illegal to collect door to door – unless you have the relevant permits
- If you are collecting money in a public area, you will need permission from the local authority
- If you are collecting money on private land, always get the landowners permission.
Collectors should also wear an ID card, the Sleaford office can arrange this if you send 2 passport size photos that have been signed on the back stating that “this is a true likeness of ......”
Support
The Sleaford office can help out with items to help your event run smoothly. We have a stock of collecting tins, Gift Aid envelopes and forms, sponsorship forms and leaflets as well as a limited selection of logo items.
Raising sponsorship
There are so many people that you can approach to sponsor you, and so many ways of approaching them!
If you want to keep it simple ask friends, relatives, work colleagues, neighbours and employers. For the more adventurous ask people in your local community or approach local business, clubs and societies.
It is best to approach these people with enthusiasm, tell them why they should support the GBS Support Group and help you raise money. Let people know what the support group does, give them one of our leaflets, which explains where the money is used.
We can provide you with sponsorship forms – they are not bulky so you could carry it with you and catch those generous donors!
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Set up a page on Justgiving website for free. |
Does your employer offer Matched Giving – the easiest way to double your money as many companies donate £1 for every £1 you raise.
 Another way of adding to the money you have raised is through Gift Aid - where the tax man gives us money (currently 25p for every £1 donated). All your sponsor has to do is tick the gift aid box on the sponsorship form and fill in their full name and address including postcode – it does not cost them a penny; and all you have to do is send us the original sponsor form. We do not add your sponsors name to our mailing list (unless they wish to be on it). Alternatively, request some Gift Aid Envelopes (right).
We can supply you with collections tins, maybe you could ask local shops or pubs to display these on their counter. Above all enjoy your event. |
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