Halloween Charity Fundraising

Pips_Mum

Hello and Thank you for popping into this thread!:wave:

My friend gave birth to a beautiful baby boy earlier in the year but very sadly he did not survive the birth. We are doing some fundraising for a local charity that supported her and her partner with their loss and also helped to pay for the funeral. We want to have a Halloween themed event but are unsure of the best way forward.

Which would create more money a) an adults Halloween ball or b) a childrens fun day event?

Our initial funds for set up will be limited but we obviously want to make as much money as possible.

So fantastic MSErs whats your thoughts and ideas?

Thank you in advance and have a great day

Gertie_Walker

Is it just me, or does anyone else think this is an inappropriate event to hold for a baby that has died at birth?

Slinky

Gertie_Walker wrote: »

Is it just me, or does anyone else think this is an inappropriate event to hold for a baby that has died at birth?

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Pips_Mum

I guess I can see your point but it is what she has chosen to do and as a friend I want to support her. She just wants to raise as much funds as she can for the charity and can see the opportunity in such a theme. Halloween is a fun time for most people and I see no reason why she shouldnt be able to have fun and enjoy herself organising an event.
As the most likely choice will be a childrens fun day it will be apple bobbing and face painting and I cant see why that would be inappropiate TBH?

Bacchus_061

That time already again????

Savvy_Sue

Leaving aside whether or not people here think it's appropriate, the first step should be to contact the charity and ask for their approval.

There are several reasons for this: a charity should be able to provide general advice on events and how to get publicity is one, but mainly because if you are running an event in their name, the trustees should know about it, and give permission. They should know about it so that they can check the funds raised actually arrive with them after the event, and also so that they can ensure that the event is OK to be linked with their name.

It would not, for example, be appropriate to oragnise a sponsored pub crawl to raise money for AA.

Obviously if you run an event 'for charity' without specifying which charity it is, you can give the money to who you like afterwards, but if you use a charity's name in advance you should always check with them.

Pips_Mum

Bacchus - Sure is!

Thanks Savvy Sue - the charity is fully aware of what we are doing already. They are only a very small local charity so unfortunately do not have the big media pull larger ones would have.

StormPhoenix

I'd just like to say that if we leave political correctness gone mad aside for a second I think it's fantastic that you are helping to riase money for such a worthy cause.

Halloween is great fun for adults and kids and you could really make it a successful event.

If it is to be a fairly informal event you can market it as 'in aid of' the charity. If you are happy to provide the food yourself or if a few of your friends can provide food this will keep inital costs down. Chilli and hotpot are great at this time of year- and of course halloween themed cupcakes.

You also need to consider where you are holding the event- you can start off with a small event- just hold a curry night at your house or halloween themed evening party for kids as well. Invite all your friends and ask for a suggested donation of £2 per entry.

You could also hold a raffle- ask local businesses to donate prizes- even if it's just jewellery or perfume or a free haircut at a local hairdressers- if you only sell tickets on the night this shouldn't be too complicated.

Other ideas for starting small with fundraising might be to ask a local shop to do a jewellery party at your house and donate 20% commission to the charity- great when it's coming up to Christmas for presents. Alternatively you could hold and Avon party or Virgin Vie party.

Hope this gives you a few ideas where to get started but whatever you end up doing, best of luck and I really hope you're successful- it's great that you want to help out such a good cause.

Pips_Mum

Thanks so much for the great ideas Stormphoenix x x