Two people, two weeks, one great fundraiser

10 May 2013

Last year we pulled this event off in a month. We decided to give ourselves more time next time. This year we did it in two weeks.

Rachna Shah, organiser of the Escape the Cheese party

That's all Rachna Shah and a friend gave themselves to organise and promote their "antidote to valentine's" event. The aim was to raise some funds for their local Birmingham Friends of the Earth group. 

"We can't stand Valentine's as it's cheesy and commercial.  So we wanted to put on an alternative event for people to go to, to escape it all," Rachna told me.

So was born the "Escape the cheese" party which this February took place the day after Valentine's itself.

I'm assured that love and romance weren't strictly banned from the event. But the fun angle and a mixture of live bands, good food and drink and poetry readings were enough to draw in the crowds. That's despite just two weeks of publicity. 

It was certainly a success. They raised £120 through tickets and a raffle. All the money went to help fund Birmingham Friends of the Earth's urban wildflower planting project.

So how did they do it and what did they learn?

• Freebies
  "We were taken aback by how generous people are for a good cause," said Rachna.  Explain the event, explain the good cause, and you can find generosity from friends, family, individuals, local businesses and other community groups.  People will donate time, money and gifts.  Rachna's tip - "Don't be afraid to ask.  People are generous."
• A great idea can help you reach out
  The event turned out to be a great way to get new and different people involved.  It can be a struggle to get new people along to things and doing something really fresh and fun can help catch people's attention in a new way.
• Using links
  With just two weeks to promote the event Rachna did well.  One way was by using all the networks, links and allies the group had to help push the word out.  Don't go it all alone when there is so much support out there.
• Time helps
  It's probably obvious, but Rachna does wish she'd given herself a bit more than two weeks.  The more time you have, the more time there is for the word to get out, for you to plan and for fresh ideas to germinate.

I'm told even Rachna's live kazoo performance (her first ever time on the instrument) didn't spoil the evening. 

Here are some more tips on how to organise your own successful fundraiser.

Neil Kingsnorth, Head of Activism

Want to get active with your local group, or get one off the ground where you live?  Find out if there's a group near you.   Or get in touch if you'd like to chat.