Organising your own fundraising event is a fantastic way to have fun, make friends, learn new skills and raise much needed funds for St Wilfrid's Hospice. All you need is an idea!
If you’ve never fundraised before, there’s no need to feel daunted, the Fundraising Team are here to support and help you every step of the way. We can help with planning your event, design or print posters/flyers, provide you with balloons, banners, collection boxes/buckets and guide you with health and safety and legal requirements to make your event as fun and stress-free as possible.
Please contact Jill or Julie in the Fundraising Department on 01243 755827 or email fundraising@stwh.co.uk. In the meantime, take a look at our fantastic fundraising tips below.
Tell us about your plans/ideas
You’re not on your own, come in and have a coffee and a chat about your idea. We can help you put on a successful event.
Keep it simple
Remember from little acorns great oaks grow! If it’s your first event and you’re planning a coffee morning, just serve coffee and cake it’s as simple as that! You don’t have to provide entertainment and a goody bag for people to take home!
Fix a date
Be aware of what other events are going on locally and nationally. Thinking about an event during Goodwood Revival, can people get to you, will the A27 be blocked? On the other hand, a tennis tournament or strawberry tea event held during Wimbledon week could work to your advantage?
Get organised
Make sure you plan your event well in advance – even a year ahead is fine. Do you need to book a venue or obtain permissions from anyone?
Ask for help
Putting on an event is more fun when you have friends, family and/or work colleagues to help you – don’t be afraid to ask them. We’re also here to help you.
Money matters
Work out how much you’re likely to spend, can you cut costs anywhere? If you’re running a raffle ask friends, family or local businesses to donate prizes rather than buying them. Remember the less you spend, the more we get!
Keep it legal
Check legal requirements. Make sure you find out if any special licenses are required. This particularly applies if you are planning to organise a raffle, street collection or sell alcohol – it may well be that you have to contact one of your local councils for advice. Please ask us if you are unsure.
Be safe
It is important that you ensure the safety of your guests. Have you undertaken a risk assessment, do you comply with health and safety legislation? (We can help you with this.)
Are you insured?
You may need public liability insurance for your event. Check with your venue and service providers (caterers, marquee hire) as they may already be covered.
Read all about it!
Tell everyone about your event, and we mean everyone! You could display posters, hand out flyers, advertise in free local magazines/websites, tell the local papers and radio stations what you are doing. We can help, we can display posters/flyers in our 11 shops, our Support Groups will circulate them for you and we can display information within the Hospice. Remember - the quickest way to spread the word is to tell a friend!
Thank everyone – those that help and those taking part
On the day or afterwards, make sure you thank everyone involved.
Have fun!
There’s an awful lot to think about but don’t forget to have fun and enjoy yourself!
Share your success with us
Do let us know how you got on – we love feel good stories!
