If you can't afford to make a donation, or if you don't fancy any of our sponsored events, there's still plenty you can do to help. We've come up with a list of ideas to get you started, but the best ideas are the ones you and your family and friends really enjoy. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s fun. Every penny you help raise will make a real difference to carers’ lives.
If you need advice or support with your fundraising activities, big or small we are here to help. We can also provide fundraising packs and sponsorship forms to support your event. Whatever you decide to do we would love to hear about it!
For help, advice and top tips on maximising your sponsorship total, email fundraising@carersuk.org or call 020 7378 4952. You can also send your pictures and stories to us and we can publicise what you have been doing.
Here’s our suggestions to get you started…
Fundraising ideas
Here are some great fun and easy fundraising ideas that you can do in your community with your friends, family and neighbours.
Coffee Morning: An old favourite but great fun. Get your friends together, for coffee and cakes. Charge a fee and donate the money to Carers UK.
Online auction: Get all those unwanted items stashed in the back of cupboards or in your loft and sell them on eBay. When you list your items, you can opt to donate all or a percentage of the proceeds to Carers UK and eBay will give you the same percentage discount on your listing fee.
Visit www.ebay.co.uk/ebayforcharity to find out more.
Sponsored events: A sure fire way to raise a few quid. How about the old favourites such as a sponsored walk, silence or swim? Or something silly – such as getting your head shaved or dying your hair purple?
Sporty all-dayer: Ask your local pub or sports club if they can arrange a 24-hour sponsored event such as darts, squash or bridge.
Jumble Sale: People love a good rummage and it’s always a good fundraiser.
Karaoke Evening: Ask a local pub to host a Karaoke night for you and charge people to get in or take part.
Quiz Nights Always a favourite whether it is at home, at work, in a club or in your local. Charge people to take part.
Tombola: Get some raffle tickets and persuade your friends and colleagues to donate prizes.
Supermarket collections and bag packing: Why not apply to your local supermarket and ask if you can go in for a weekend to do a collection or bag packing. A great way to raise money on your door step.
Garden Parties: The British bank holidays provide a fantastic opportunity to hold a garden party. Why not gather you friends, family and neighbours in your garden for picnic or a BBQ in your garden and ask for a small donation in return.
Strawberries and Cream: Invite you friends over for this great summer afternoon snack while watching the fantastic tennis of Wimbledon. You can ask for a donation or run a sweepstake on the game or even the whole tournament.
Summer Fete: See if your local community or carers centre will let you put on a Summer Fete. From cake stands to tombola’s, face painting and bouncy castles a fete can be a fun day out for all. See if you can involve local businesses and press to maximise the money you can raise.
In your workplace
Do you work in a large office or factory? Maybe a friend, family member or neighbour does? How about one of these ideas for the workplace:
Dress Down Friday: Ideal if you work in a formal office environment. Colleagues are charged for the privilege of wearing more casual clothes to work on a designated day.
Sweepstake: With the Olympic coming up later this year why not run sweapsteak in your office on which country will win the most medals, or who will win certain events? Charge a £1 per guess and donate 50% to Carers UK and 50% to the winner!
Give up your lunch money: Ask your colleagues to bring in sandwiches for their lunch on a specified day and donate the money they save to Carers UK.
Tuck shop: Most people get a bit hungry by mid-morning. Hold a cake or biscuit sale around the office.
