Fundraising for Injured British Soldiers

If you have never raised money before, please do not feel daunted by it, as we will provide you with support every step of the way.

There are many ways to fundraise for charity - some enjoy the physical challenge of a running or hiking event, while others prefer to do something that brings their family, friends and community together at an event or function.  The possibilities are endless and maybe because of this, precisely confusing.  We, the Fundraising Team, are here to make it as easy for you as possible.

If you would like to fundraise for BLESMA, if you need help or advice, or if you just need an idea suitable to your circumstances, please call or email Tania Munro - Fundraising Manager or Sue Stokes - Fundraising Assistant on 020 8590 1124.

Once you have decided what you want to do, here are some tried and proven techniques to make the most of your fundraising opportunities:

Sponsorship

• Ask your employer to match you £ for £ on the money you raise. Many companies have policies in place that support employees undertaking charitable work and are part of the organisation's CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) objectives.
• If you have a company publication, offer to write an article on your challenge and let everyone know that you will also try to get local media coverage. Positive PR is desirable, but free positive PR is downright indecently desirable!
• Put your top sponsors at the top of your sponsorship form – others may follow suit!
• Target local business for sponsorship as they are more likely to benefit from any press coverage. Write to 20 local companies, explain the challenge you have set yourself, and request a donation or a 'gift in kind' that you can then auction or raffle.
• Run a sweepstake – sponsors can try to win a prize by guessing your finish time. Sponsors can offer the sweepstake to their employees as a team building exercise.

Collecting Funds

• Ask family and friends to collect on your behalf – with a target of £25 per person for example and ten friends, you'll soon have £250.
• Ask friends to make a donation or to join in.
• Create an online webpage through justgiving.com where people can donate safely using their credit and debit cards, as well as leaving you messages of encouragement. Send the link to everyone you know asking for donations.
• We are also registered with Virgin Money Giving and Bmycharity as an alternative option to justgiving.
• If you use Twitter or Facebook, link up with BLESMA for information and support, as well as the chance to speak to other members.  Raise awareness of your event or challenge by tweeting about it and posting regular updates.
• Under the Government's Gift Aid scheme, BLESMA can reclaim the tax made on donations. This means that we can get 28 per cent more money, at no extra cost to your sponsors! Please ask your sponsors to tick the Gift Aid box and write their full home address and postcode on your sponsorship form. Please note that donors must be UK taxpayers in order for us to claim Gift Aid.

Attracting the Media

• Approach your local newspaper or radio station for publicity. Be ready to explain how it is of local relevance (are the participants local? Is the event taking place locally? Are there local BLESMA members who will be benefiting?)
• Don’t forget to ask them to include your contact details in case readers or listeners wish to sponsor you.
• Not sure how to get started?  Contact Tania Munro - Fundraising Manager or Sue Stokes - Fundraising Assistant on 020 8590 1124 and run your idea by them – they will be able to direct you.

BLESMA Merchandise

• We have a range of BLESMA branded items on offer for participants or to distribute at your event.  They include T-shirts, collection boxes, brochures, posters, postcards, wristbands, banners, pens and car stickers. 
• To request items, please contact Sue Stokes - Fundraising Assistant on 020 8590 1124.

Help us to Help You

• We can help you to promote your event on our website and in our magazine.  To do this, please contact Rachel Watkinson or Arti Taylor at our Press Office on 020 7993 3006.
• Website stories need at least one digital photograph.