Fundraising events - some local group experiences
Local groups raise funds all year round - sometimes for their own group activities, sometimes to support Friends of the Earth's national and international campaigns.
We asked Joe Peacock (Birmingham Friends of the Earth) and Malcolm Hunter (Leicester Friends of the Earth) about their recent successful fundraising events.
In Birmingham, local group members helped to organise a Canal Canter sponsored walk. In Leicester, Malcolm ran a half-marathon.
The full interviews are on the Friends of the Earth in the Midlands Facebook page, but here are the highlights.
We've also produced a guide to fundraising events.
Joe on the Birmingham Canal Canter
"The key was finding a partner organisation (The Heart of England Long Distance Walkers Association). They shared our aims and were happy for us to raise funds from the event in return for us helping on the day.""We had articles on our website encouraging people to enter the race and explaining where the money would go. We also promoted it on Facebook and Twitter and put it on event listings on green, walking, and canal websites."
Malcolm's half-Marathon
"Arranging to run in a race is very straightforward... the harder part is getting yourself fit enough to run the distance. Use friends and family as well as fundraising websites. They may be able to help fundraise, and spread the word to their friends, leading to more possible donors."How did it go?
Joe raised nearly £400 from taking part in the Canal Canter. Malcolm has so far raised £160 and rising. The Birmingham group now plan to do a shorter walking event next year, while the Leicester group have also organised a sponsored Halloween bike ride.
