Golden Principles

The most important principle to remember is- 'If you don't ask you don't get!'

Don't be daunted by the total; break it down into manageable chunks, £100 at a time.

  • If you don't ask for sponsorship no one will give it to you
  • Make it easy for people to sponsor you
  • Enclose a SAE when approaching potential donors by letter
  • Offer to take sponsorship in the form of a cheque or cash there and then
  • Make yourself available and always return calls from people you have contacted
  • Set up an online fundraising page at www.justgiving.com

Shout about it! Let the world know what you are doing and why!

Whatever your approach, and it is likely that it will be a mixture of the approaches outlined below, the cardinal rule is to always follow up.

  • Call
  • Call again
  • Stop by and see your potential donors personally
  • Ask if they need any more information
  • Always thank sponsors with a postcard, slide show or photograph

Let all your sponsors know how the challenge went and how much it raised in total.

Timing

Give yourself enough time- if you leave it all to the last minute then you’ve risked missing your deadline- it is much less stressful to pace yourself and your fundraising.

Approaching an employer

If you are approaching your employer make sure that you present your ideas in an organised and professional manner detailing;

  • The challenge
  • Information on the charity or the cause you are supporting
  • What benefits there are to the company in question
  • Your publicity/ fundraising plan.
  • Ask to be included on the company's website and newsletter.

Contact the local press to get publicity. Also contact local businesses - incorporate their company name and logo in any t-shirts, raffle tickets, press releases and flyers that you might send out. The more organised the plan the more likely they are to want to support you.

Service/Rotary Clubs

Service Clubs such as the Lions or Rotary Clubs are often good places to approach for sponsorship and they will often invite you to talk about your adventures. Expect to talk for about 15-20 minutes and use visual aids where appropriate to illustrate your points and the cause they are supporting.

Friends and Family

Where possible, delegate. Never underestimate the value of friends and volunteers. They will have another set of contacts to you, different skills and enthusiasm.

The Internet

Set up a fundraising page at www.justgiving.com. Here, sponsors can use a credit or debit card to make a donation and the charity can in most instances reclaim flat rate tax under the 'Gift Aid' scheme from the Inland Revenue.

Thank Yous

Keep a detailed record of everybody that has supported you so that they can all be thanked when you return. Always thank them with a postcard, slide show or photograph. Let them know how the challenge went and how much it raised in total.

 

Fundraising information kindly provided by Across the Divide