HOLDING A FUNDRAISING EVENT?
(Here are some hints and tips to help you along the way!)
The key to organising any fundraising event is to be organised! Here are some of our TOP TIPS to ensure your experience is fun and successful.
The Event
- Identify your event! (See our list of A-Z fundraising ideas for help!)
The Location and Date
- Where will you hold your event? Do you need a large area or could you host it at home or at your workplace? Consider the time of year and try to ensure that you event doesn’t clash with other events going on in your community
Guests and Invitees
- The more people you invite, the more will attend, and hence the more funds and awareness you are likely to raise. If it is a work event, you could invite your customers, colleagues etc.
Publicity
- Is it a large event that would benefit from publicity? Ensure you contact our fundraising team on: 01823 669604 and they will help you publicise wherever possible. (This could include a promotion on the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Web site and Newsletter). We can also help you with promotional material, posters, event guidelines and information regarding any permissions you may need.
Ask for Help
- Get as many volunteers, friends, family and work colleagues to help you, as this will make you time so much easier and much more fun.
Achieving your target
- Do you have a target goal? If so, tell people how much you hope to raise so they can help you achieve this. Some key fundraisers are:
- Raffles/ Auctions – small raffles are always successful. As long as ticket sales and the announcement of results happens during the event you will not need any particular licence. If you need donated gifts as raffle prizes, you could approach local businesses or companies for prizes. Our Head Office can provide you with a letter that authorises you to do this on behalf of the charity.
- Match-giving – Some employers / companies are able to boost contributions by matching any funds raised by employees. Why not check with your manager if your employer will do this.
Licenses
- You will need licences if your event involves any of the following:
- Music and Dancing
- Sale of Alcohol
- Collecting money or selling goods in a public place
Enjoy Yourself!
- Have fun, the more you enjoy yourself, the more your guests will too!
Say Thank You
- Always ensure that your attendees are aware of how much money you raised. Also send little thank you cards to those that helped make your day or evening special. This will ensure that they will want to help again next time!
Sending us the money you have raised for us!
- When you are all finished, please send a cheque payable to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance to: Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Landacre House, Chelston Business Park, Castle Road, Wellington, TA21 9JQ. We always like to send you a receipt and a letter of thanks, so ensure to give us your name, address and event details.
Finally – We would love to hear from you about your fundraising experience. If it was that much fun, why not consider becoming a volunteer. There is no pressure – you can donate as little or as much time as you want.
