Our Top Five Tips for Successful Fundraising
September 1, 2014 // Rachel Ellis
At Oxford Half HQ we’re really keen to see the Vitality Oxford Half Marathon grow into the one of the largest charity fundraising events in the south of England, providing a valuable source of income for a wide variety of charities
There are two ways that our runners can help us achieve this – the first is by securing a charity place with one of our race charities. You can read more about some of our race charities at the bottom of this post.
In addition to the reserved places available through our official race charities we are delighted that so many of our ‘own place’ runners, who obtained their entries by registering through our general public scheme, choose to raise money for charity.
All of our official race charities welcome ‘own place’ runners willing to fundraise for their charity. So if you have already secured your own place, but have not yet decided which charity you want to support, please consider one of our official race charities.
As well as money raised by our runners for their chosen charities, many runners have this year chosen to make an optional voluntary donation to the Oxford Half Marathon Fund when they entered the race. The fund has been set up this year to specifically to benefit smaller charities and voluntary groups within Oxfordshire as a way of thanking the local community who suffer the inconvenience of the event.
Managed and administered by Oxfordshire Community Foundation, the new Vitality Oxford Half Marathon Fund will enable smaller local charities and voluntary groups to benefit from funds raised through the event
If you’ve decided to for charity, here are our top five tips for successful fundraising – some of them we took from the Virgin Money Giving site, as they were too good not to include:
- Set up a Virgin Money Giving page.
http://www.virginmoneygiving.com is the official fundraising website of the Vitality Oxford Half Marathon. You can create a fundraising page and start collecting sponsorship in minutes. Virgin Money Giving doesn’t take a penny in profit so they can keep their charges really low. That means charities will receive an extra £1 for every £30 donation compared to JustGiving. The page is then yours for life and can be used for the Vitality Oxford Half and every other charity event you take part in.
- Tell people your story
People will be much more interested in your fundraising if they know your story. So make sure you go into detail about what you’re doing why you’ve chosen your particular charity, both on your fundraising page and in any letters or emails you send out. Get your friends and family to spread the word too. Personalise your fundraising page – perhaps with a photo of you in your running vest, or one of you training.
- Use Twitter and Facebook
Social media offers both charities and fundraisers a great way to promote their cause and the work or fundraising they’re doing. Not only is it quick and easy to use, it can get your message out to a large audience of potential sponsors. Virgin Money Giving has out together some useful guides to some of the most popular sites. We saw some very funny fundraising videos that some of our Bath Halfers made this year, which they posted on You Tube and linked to via Twitter and Facebook.
- Get in touch with your charity
You’ll probably find resources on your charity’s website like logos and information about their current projects. You can use this when you’re talking about the difference your fundraising will make. Many of the charities that we work with at Vitality Oxford Half can offer runners (not just those who are running with a charity place) support throughout their training and on the day.
- Gift aid
Remember to ask people to tick the gift aid box – more money will go to your charity if they do this.
Our official race charities
Oxfam
Join Oxfam, the official lead charity, at the Oxford Half Marathon and you can fight poverty with every mile. Oxfam responds to humanitarian emergencies all around the world, providing life-saving shelter, food and access to fresh water. Sign up to run with Oxfam and you could help save lives. To request your free fundraising pack and running top email mailto:[email protected] or call 0300 200 1244
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
Laureus Sport For Good Foundation uses sport to improve young people’s lives by tackling some of the most challenging social issues from juvenile crime, teenage violence, substance abuse, social exclusion and lack of education. From football in Birmingham to get young people into education and employment or boxing and muay thai in East London to give young people chances in life away from crime and gangs, we are committed to bring positive change to young people’s lives through sport. And thanks to the support of our corporate partners covering administration costs, every single penny you raise goes to our projects.
By taking on this running challenge and committing to raise a minimum sponsorship of £100 for #TeamSportforGood, you have the chance to raise money that will change kids’ lives through sport. We know sport is a key that opens doors. It connects with hard-to-reach youth at risk, on deprived estates and excluded from school. It is also a springboard; the discipline, respect and teamwork built from sport can lead to education, training and employment. Unfortunately access to sport is not equal. In the UK children from high-income households are twice as likely to access sport compared to those from low-income households.
We believe every child should have the right to the benefits sport provides regardless of their economic background. By raising as little as £200 for #TeamSportforGood you could give 100 children in your local area the opportunity to access sport. Our goal across the UK is to raise enough money to improve the lives of 50,000 children through the power of sport by 2015. With #TeamSportforGood you’ll get the benefits of a top team to support you. You’ll get sporting expertise, training days with sporting legends, week by week training programmes and nutrition advice from top coaches – all providing great support and camaraderie. You’ll even get a limited edition, money can’t buy, Team Sport for Good running vest.
To join #TeamSportforGood, visit www.laureus.com/run or contact us at [email protected]
Helen & Douglas House
Helen & Douglas House based in Oxford has the time and expertise to care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions and support their families. The two hospice houses offer specialist symptom and pain management, medically-supported short breaks and end-of-life care, as well as counselling and practical support for the whole family. Helen House was the world’s first children’s hospice, built in 1982. Douglas House opened in 2004 as the world’s first hospice specifically for young adults aged 16 to 35. We care for over 300 young people from Bedfordshire; Berkshire; Buckinghamshire; Gloucestershire; Hertfordshire; parts of London; Northamptonshire; Oxfordshire; Wiltshire. It costs £5million a year to run the two hospice houses and we are dependent on voluntary contributions for over 80% of this. For more information and how to run for Helen and Douglas House, please contact [email protected]
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the only charity that carries out research into over 200 different types of cancer. By joining our team, you will be directly funding more than 450 locally based researchers in the Oxford area who are finding new ways to prevent, diagnose and cure cancer. With your support through events like the Oxford Half Marathon, we will be able to beat cancer sooner so join our team today by calling 0300 123 5461.
Alzheimer’s Society
Dementia affects over 800,000 people in the UK. Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. Our vision is of a radically improved world for people with dementia. A world, ultimately, where dementia can be defeated. Join us in the Oxford Half Marathon and help us continue to lead the fight against dementia. www.alzheimers.org.uk/oxfordhalf[email protected] or call 0845 306 0898
Macmillian Cancer Support
Every day nine people in Oxfordshire hear the devastating news they have cancer and four people die from the illness. By 2013, the population of people living with and beyond cancer in Oxfordshire will have almost doubled to over 40,000
In Oxfordshire there are 40 Macmillan professionals working in clinical environments and the community. They provide vital support, coordinate care, relieve symptoms and help people cope with the practical and emotional effects of cancer. No one should have to face cancer alone. And with your support no one will.
From the moment you sign up to Team Macmillan, our expert team will support you every step of the way with fundraising, training tips, and regular e-newsletters. Plus you’ll receive a free technical running top to fly the green Team Macmillan flag. On race day, our Macmillan Cheer points will help you along the way, and we’ll be there at the end to help you to celebrate your amazing achievement. To join Team Macmillan visit our website for a guaranteed place, there is no registration fee all we ask is that you raise £250 to support people affected by cancer. If you have already purchased and have your own place we would love to join us, just let us know that you are running for us by contacting us on; Phone 020 7840 7878 or Email [email protected]