OUR TOP TEN WAYS TO FUNDRAISE

So you’ve decided you want to help raise some money, but you’re a bit stuck for ideas. Well, have no fear – we’ve put together a list of top ten fundraising schemes to help get the ball rolling.

1. Hair today, gone tomorrow
   Who needs hair anyway?! If you’re a lady that’s feeling daring, why not raise some money by shaving off your luscious locks? Or perhaps you’re a bloke with a high pain threshold; how about a charity leg wax? Both are valiant undertakings, only for the brave.
2. Fancy Dress Fun Run
   Fancy dress is always fun, and is great for catching attention. Hire a costume, put on your running shoes and head somewhere busy. You can ask for sponsorship money from friends in advance and from strangers while you run.
3. Teddy Bear’s Picnic
   If you go down to the woods today, you could help us raise a tidy little sum! A charity teddy bear’s picnic is a great way of getting everyone together for a good cause. Ask invitees to pay a small amount for food and drinks, and pass on the profits to us.
4. Cycle from London to Paris
   What better way to spend a few Autumn days, but with the wind in your hair and London fading into the distance behind you, en route to fair Paris? There are many companies that will charge you for the privilege, but with a bit of research you can plan your own route and do it at your own pace. This way, all your sponsorship money will go straight to helping our charity.
5. Three Peaks Challenge
   If you’re up for an exciting, fast-paced, Bond-style adventure that takes you the length and breadth of the British Isles, look no further than the Three Peaks Challenge. You’ll have to navigate your way over three mountains – all in under 24 hours. If you’re up for this peaky challenge visit www.thethreepeakschallenge.co.uk for information, maps and top tips.
6. Walk Hadrian’s Wall
   This great wonder of the world is 84 miles long, spanning nearly 2,000 years of history, dramatic and wild landscapes, towns and cities. With campsites along the way, this is a great option for fundraising (as well as a good way to get fit). Organise a group walk, or spend some quality ‘you-time’ in the great outdoors.
7. Fancy-dress Friday
   Ask workers to swap their usual Friday attire for something a bit different. Whether it’s a ‘wear your jeans to work’ day, ‘dress down Friday’, or even ‘fancy-dress Friday’, we’re sure your colleagues would be happy to donate cash in exchange for some Friday fun.
8. Give something up for a month
   Are you known as bit of a chocolate fiend? Do you watch your favourite soap religiously? Maybe you can’t go a day without your latte. Or perhaps you simply talk too much! Giving something up for a month is a great way to raise cash. You can ask for sponsorship money, or donate the money you’d normally spend on a more expensive habit to us.
9. Make something and sell it
   Whether you are crazy about crochet, mad about card-making or have a penchant for painting, your crafty ability could help raise a bundle for our wonderful cause. Use eBay to sell your stock, or book a stall at a jumble sale or Christmas fair.
10. Jumble Sale/Cake Sale/Book Sale
    Speaking of jumbles and fairs, our final fundraising idea is to hold a simple book, cake or old clothing sale. (They do say the simplest ideas are the best ones!) This could also be a great opportunity to let people know about our charity. Add some information leaflets to your table, and you’ll be letting your customers know that their money will be going towards an amazing cause.

So there’s our top 10 ideas. But if you can do better, let us know! The weirder, wackier, stranger or cleverer your idea, the more money you’re likely to raise!

Just remember to take lots of pictures on the day, so we can show off your hard work on our website.

Happy fundraising, you wonderful bunch!!

The Butterfly Team

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