The list that follows is not exhaustive but is designed to stimulate your imagination.
Non-uniform day - Give a donation to attend school / college in your own clothes.
Job swaps - We all feel at times we can do better than the boss. Auction the MD's / head of department's / cleaner's job for an afternoon.
Fancy dress - Pay to come to work in fancy dress (health and safety permitting).
Guess the baby competition - Photos of the staff / colleagues as babies.
Fashion show
Concert / Play / Musical evening
Trivia quiz - Pop / Sport / General knowledge / etc.
Fete
Car boot sale
It's a Knock Out
Sponsored silence
Sponsored haircut
Five- / seven-a-side football / rugby / hockey / etc.
Sponsored walk
The list is endless and we have not yet mentioned the "Thon" family, MaraTHON, WalkaTHON, SlimaTHON.
The way ahead
Once you have chosen your event, there are many areas that you must cover to make it a success.
The keyword is PLANNING - allow plenty of time to look at the various aspects of the challenge that lies before you.
Discuss with friends, colleagues and management how easily the event can be organised.
Do we have the people to make all parts of the project run smoothly?
Will the event cost us anything to get off the ground?
Arrange a date.
What resources do we need?
How do we publicise the event?
What can go wrong?
Can we get a celebrity? (There are generally tame celebs in your local area, or people who may give their time).
Publicise the event
Your event must be well publicised if it is to be a success.
At work:
Work notice boards
Company magazine
Announced at briefings
Word of mouth.
At home:
Leaflets to families
Leaflets to local suppliers
Announced on local radio
Advertisement in local paper
Notices placed in public places in the community, such as surgeries, libraries, local shops.
The media
If you are able to get the support of your local radio and TV station, your event's profile is taken onto another level. You will find it invaluable when approaching people in the local business community. If they think that they might be able to get some good (and cheap) local PR, they are more likely to help.
The person to get in touch with in the local paper is the news editor. If you know a reporter, use the personal contact as this always works better than the cold contact. Find out the paper's deadlines for copy and photographs. They must always know:
What the event is
Who is involved
Why the event is taking place
When, where and what time
Contact name for further information
When you are planning your event, always try and think like a newspaper reporter. Think what is newsworthy. Try to create a publicity stunt / have a local dignitary / local celebrity / and always have a photo opportunity.
Handy hints when seeking sponsors
Ues our online fundraising pages to design your own page and unique sponsor form. /fundraising/onlinedonations.htm
Set your sponsorship target - aim.
Seek help from your friends - network, friends of friends - you will collect more than you thought possible, but you need to work at it.
Think about organising small events, a coffee morning, disco, jumble sale or a car boot sale - whatever you feel comfortable with. The only limit is your imagination.
Start your sponsorship early - well in advance of the event.
When you approach people for sponsorship, ask them if they would mind giving you the money NOW. It is easier to give money back should you have to pull out of the event than trying to collect after the event - people lose interest quickly and often find excuses for not giving you the money.
Always maintain a record of your sponsors and ensure that your list reflects those who have paid and those who have still to give you their contribution.
If you belong to a club or association, get them involved either as a sponsor, by organising a fundraising event, or by 'matching' the funds you raise.
Ask local companies or firms to sponsor you in return for wearing their logo on your T-shirt.
Sponsorship ideas that have worked
Approach companies for corporate sponsorship (companies may donate as much as £100 to £250 for their logo on a shirt). Approach the Public Relations department or Community Development department.
Put a note through all your neighbours' doors telling them who you are, what the BSS is and what the event is. On the note, put a time when you will come back to collect the money or pledge.
Get a friend or colleague to organise your fundraising while you train.
Get the press involved as much as possible. Try to get your photo or a story about your fundraising in the local paper as much as possible.
Do something different - pull a car along a stretch of road, get a Mohican haircut (if your boss allows it) etc.
Organise a plush dinner with guest speakers.
Photocopy the sponsorship forms and pass them out to friends and family who live in different parts of the country, or better still get them to give to your own online fundraising page (see above).
Organise a raffle with prizes from local shops.
Do bucket collections round the local pubs and clubs (get permission from the owners first).
