Cornwall fundraising
The team are trekking in Peru next year to raise almost £20,000
Tell us about the fundraising you have been doing down in Cornwall – what are you raising money for?
We are hoping to raise around £20,000 to be spent on purchasing various items of Assistive Technology that will enhance the lives of many people we support living in Cornwall.
How are you raising the money?
Lots of different ways! Our big fundraising effort will be our trek to Peru in the spring of 2010. Eight of us are planning to go and we'll each raise at least £2,850 towards the cost of the trip and sponsorship for United Response. It's quite a daunting target, but when you start breaking it down it becomes easier; so we're organising a duck race for the summer; we hope to have around 20 people doing a sponsored parachute jump later in the year; and we'll have lots of smaller activities like car boot sales, raffles and pub quizzes over the coming months.
Has it been difficult getting people involved or have people been glad to lend a hand?
People are generally happy to help when you tell them what we are raising money for. Times are hard for lots of people at the moment but we have found that if you approach the fundraising with a sense of humour and some energy, and try and make the events fun, then people do respond well.
What's the strangest thing you have done or considered to raise money and profile for United Response?
When we heard that Gok Wan was looking for people to feature in his new TV programme and that he had selected Senior Support Worker Dawn Mason, we thought this was too good an opportunity to pass up to tell people about United Response! We're not sure if what we said about our trek to Peru and the work of our charity ended up in the finished cut but at least we've given it a shot! I must say that Dawn looked fabulous in the final...enhanced by me looking tired and worn after a long day at the office!
As well as the money, do you think there are other advantages you have gained from your fundraising efforts?
I think it has helped local people learn about the people we support and recognise United Response as a part of their community. It's been great to feel that people are keen to work with us to help create opportunities for people we support and to understand a little about their lives. It has also really helped to bring together staff from various teams which is great in terms of realising that we as an organisation are all working towards improving the lives of those we support.
Have there been any disappointments so far?
Like all enterprises, it is not just one success after another. The duck race had to be rescheduled due to the council advising us to apply for the wrong licence and having to re-start the application too late for the planned date of Easter Monday, so that was a shame. But we've just put that back and kept everybody informed and I'm sure that a summer duck race will work just as well (or better) than one at Easter would have done. If all goes well we are hoping to make this an annual event.
What has been the best thing about your fundraising project so far?
Because United Response is still a fairly new entity in Cornwall, the fundraising has helped to put it on the map in the communities where we work. Many of the staff who previously worked for the NHS or other care providers were not able to fundraise in the way that we can as a charity. Although it can be hard work at times, fitting it in alongside the day job, it's also very rewarding and can lead to some very interesting connections locally.
If you have a fundraising idea that could benefit your service or area – or which could raise much-needed funds for United Response nationally – the fundraising team would be delighted to hear from you. We can offer practical support and guidance and help you to make the most of your idea, so give us a call today on 020 8246 5200.