Top tips for organising an event

Let us know

Please contact the Fundraising Team by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 01782 344304 about any events that you are planning to hold to raise money for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice. They can provide advice and may be able to offer materials you will find useful.

Plan in advance

Think carefully about the event before you start and put an action plan together. Work out:

• what type of event you'd like to put on
•  how long it will take you to organise it
•  who you could contact to help you
•  how much it might raise in relation to the effort involved

Choose an event that you'll enjoy planning and that other people will enjoy taking part in. It's also a good idea to have one person in overall charge of things, or leading the group.

Spread the word
Advertising of fundraising events is key to their success. Consider the options you have for reaching the people who are most likely to be interested in the event you're organising. These might include invitations, posters, use of social networking sites, intranets or notice boards in community spaces. We can help with this as we can promote your event on our Facebook and Twitter sites and maybe able to get a mention in the local media.

Sponsorship tips
Here are some things to consider if you're taking on a sponsored event:

• ask everyone you know to sponsor you
•  make sure everyone knows your target
•  have a generous first amount on your form

Setting up a JustGiving page enables your friends and family to sponsor you by credit or debit card and is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to collect donations.

Gift Aid

Gift Aid is a simple and effective way of boosting your fundraising. This is a scheme introduced by HM Revenue & Customs that allows us to reclaim the basic rate of tax people pay as UK taxpayers. It means that for every £1 that is donated, we get up to an extra 25p at no extra cost. All that is required is a one-off declaration.

Our Fundraising Team can provide you with sponsorship forms which include the option for Gift Aid.

Good Luck!