Fundraising help, ideas and advice

kilisnowdon1 At Climb Your Mountain (CYM) we want to encourage people to take part in amazing physical challenges and experiences that provide them with the opportunity to travel to new places, get fitter and healthier, make new friends and achieve something very special. In addition by taking part in these fantastic challenges people will be raising funds for the charity that will go directly to help many more people.

However, for many people the prospect of raising large amounts or sponsorship and meeting the fundraising requirements is daunting and will stop many people from taking part in these challenges. We want to provide as much help and support as possible so people can see how they can raise the money and therefore can take part in something very special!

Everyone's circumstance and situation is different so you need to think carefully what is likely to be the best and most effective way of fundraising for you. The list of ideas and suggestions below covers many possibilities and hopefully will show how possible it is to raise significant funds if you are prepared to put a bit of effort in and the rewards are far greater.

Gift Aid

One of the most effective ways of raising more money is by using Gift Aid. Basically for any donations you receive or sponsorship payments made you should be able to get an extra 25% by using gift aid. Donors need to be UK taxpayers and tick the box to confirm gift aid is applicable. So, for example, if you get £500 of sponsorship this can be increased to £625 with gift aid.

Online sponsorship page

You can set up your own online sponsorship page with Just Giving by going to www.justgiving.com/climbym and following instructions to set up your page. You can then edit this as much as you like and upload photos. It is a great way to tell your story and why you are doing the challenge plus updating it on your progress etc with training and fundraising. People can then make online donations and you can set your target and see how you are doing. Sending out regularly emails to family, friends and colleagues will increase the number of people who will sponsor you and make a donation. Also, people like to see how you are doing and feel part of your challenge so this is a great way for doing this.

Offline sponsorship forms

In addition to the online page you can use offline sponsorship forms for your challenge so people can sponsor you this way rather than making a donation online. Just ask for forms and will provide you with official forms for your challenge. This is particularly effective with work colleagues.

Family and Friends challenges

In addition to asking friends and family for sponsorship you can ask them or encourage them to do their own challenge to raise sponsorship which can then go to your sponsorship pot. For example organise a walk, climb or cycle challenge and ask friends and family to join in and raise some money. Or they may wish to run a 10k or half marathon and raise money on your behalf. So they do something and benefit and so do you!

Work help (including matched funding)

Many companies will be supportive and offer help, perhaps by sponsoring you directly or offering a 'matched fund' scheme. Find out what your employer might be able to do to help you. If you don't ask you don't get!

Raffles & Auctions

Organising a raffle and auction and getting prizes, gifts, vouchers, etc is relatively easy. Ask friends, family and colleagues first if they have anything they could donate for a raffle or auction. Furthermore, you can ask local businesses, shops and companies for anything that might be suitable for a fundraising raffle or auction. As long as you are polite, professional and friendly that is ok and we can provide official charity headed paper or letter.

Curry nights

Organising a curry night or similar at a local restaurant can be very beneficial. For example the restaurant may charge £10 per person and you charge £20 for a ticket, so for everyone you get attending your function you will make a £10 profit that will go to your fundraising pot. At the event you could do a raffle or auction as mentioned above. These can be excellent social events where the attendees have a great evening and lots of money is raised for your fundraising pot. Many restaurants will offer you a good deal, especially on a night where it would normally be quiet!

Car Boot Sales and Ebay

There are plenty of opportunities to do car boot sales or sell items on ebay. You have probably got lots of stuff at home that you could sell and many friends and family members will be very happy to give you items for you to sell. Just ask people and you will get given lots of stuff. This can be a good way of raising money and clearing out old stuff too!

Tin collections and bag packing

As a charity we are sometimes allowed to do charity tin collections. It can be a very good way of raising money. On average you get about £15 per hour from tin collections or bag packing at local supermarkets so the money raised can quickly add up. The more hours you put in the more you raise and why not ask a friend or family member to help you? If you wear a fancy dress type outfit you usually get lots more from the added attention!

CYM social events

The charity regularly holds social events like curry nights or parties whereby you can raise funds by selling tickets and inviting friends, family and work colleagues. For example at the CYM party where tickets are £10 each you can sell these and the money raised goes to your fundraising pot. It is a great way to raise money and for the people you sell tickets to they have a great night too!

Coffee and Cake or Cheese and Wine parties

Organising a simple party or get-together at home with something like a Coffee and Cake morning or Cheese and Wine evening can be a great way of raising funds. Get a few friends and family round, charge them a small amount and ask for additional donations can raise quite a lot and also an enjoyable fun occasion. You are likely to find people being even more supportive of your fundraising efforts the more they feel involved and enjoy helping.

Race Nights

Organising a race night at home can be very lucrative. You can get an Xbox or playstation game which shows horse races and people can bet on these through the evening. They have a chance to win money and prizes and have a lot of fun. Charge a small entry fee, perhaps do a raffle and a percentage of the 'bookies' takings can go to your fundraising pot.

An Example

Tin collections – yourself and a friend for 2 days for 5 hrs per day = £300
Curry Night – 40 guests plus raffle = (12 x 40) £480
Car Boot Sale x 2 and ebay - £250
Coffee and Cake party - £100
Cycle challenge for friends – (15 x25) £375
Friend does separate challenge - £200
Total from above = £1,705 (with gift Aid approx £2,130)
Friends and family donations - £500 (£625 with gift aid)
Work colleague sponsorship - £200 (£250 with gift aid)
Total with gift aid £3,005

The example above doesn't include any personal donations from yourself or any matched funding or help from companies.

Hopefully you can see that with a bit of effort, planning and with support from CYM you can raise the necessary funds for any of the trips we offer!