My Charity Ambition

saddlerscott

A short background:

My inspiration for this came when I was watching a TV program about living on the bread line. There was a mother talking of how she couldn't afford to let her son play football due to subs, kit etc. As an avid sportsman this got to me, I feel everyone should have the chance to play sport.

After doing some research, I found that there didn't seem to be anything which was going in the same direction as I wanted this to, so I set off on (hopefully) the long journey of starting a charity.

I went to visit my local CVS, after a discussion it was decided a charitable trust would be the best way forward. I was disheartened to discover that this trust would need to raise at least £5k a year before it could be registered, I feel this instantly makes it more difficult for charities to start.

Because of this, I felt it would be best to wait until my new career got going (a teacher) before I started the fundraising.


Now for the aims of the trust:

-To provide equipment for local youngsters most in need to enable them to play sport.
-To support local sports clubs with the annual running costs which so often cripple them.
-To provide funding to train coaches to become qualified.
-To provide qualified coaches at a subsidised rate.

This is not an exhaustive list, however it outlines the main aims.


I have many ideas for fundraising, including charity matches, general sponsored events such as walks etc, and also some more original ideas (which I don't want to put on here for fear of them being knicked ).

Something I have thought about is aquiring a second hand mini bus for the charity at as cheap a price as possible and then using this as a means of income, first of all as a cheap alternative for sports clubs, then as more of a pre booked taxi service. I think this would provide a steady stream of income for the charity.



Your thoughts, suggestions, and any help would be appreciated.

Scott

Gertie_Walker

Your plan seems reasonable to me.
However, the CVS should have advised you that, as long as your objects are charitable, then you can hold fundraising events described as charitable. The CC still has juristiction over you, even if you are not registered.
Why not apply for A4A funding of up to £10k to get you started and you will then be able to register?

saddlerscott

What is this A4A?

And is it something that thousands apply for and few get? I will do, whatever the case is. Anything to get this started.

I know I can do the fundraising still, but it would be a lot easier with a registered charity number and access to sites such as justgiving.

fantasia322

saddlerscott wrote: »

What is this A4A?

And is it something that thousands apply for and few get? I will do, whatever the case is. Anything to get this started.

I know I can do the fundraising still, but it would be a lot easier with a registered charity number and access to sites such as justgiving.

http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/

Its a lottery grant of upto £10,000 - if you use this web addy there are online advisers between 9-5 weekdays. Good luck, sounds like an amazing thing you want to achieve.

saddlerscott

Thank you very much for your help. I will have a look into this on tuesday.

I have played sport my whole life, and I know too well that finances dictate often to the detriment of the sport. I will try and keep people updated with what I am doing.

Thanks again.

Scott

Savvy_Sue

saddlerscott wrote: »

Something I have thought about is aquiring a second hand mini bus for the charity at as cheap a price as possible and then using this as a means of income, first of all as a cheap alternative for sports clubs, then as more of a pre booked taxi service. I think this would provide a steady stream of income for the charity.

It could, but it could also be a bit of a nightmare. It's absolutely not something you can cut corners on: a beat-up second hand minibus does NOT inspire confidence. Plus you'd be well advised to insist that all your drivers have MIDAS training (google that plus your local area for details / local costs), kept up to date. Plus insurance wouldn't be cheap. Plus servicing and maintenance can be unexpectedly expensive. Plus when it's off the road, you may have people relying on it.

In our area, we have a community transport charity devoted pretty much just to the hire of minibuses, so I'd say it was a bit of a niche rather than a bolt-on service!

PlutoinCapricorn

https://secure.justgiving.com/process/CharityGuide/sports-charities

this just shows those sport-related registered charities that have joined JustGiving: some are for disabled or overseas children, others are for the disadvantaged. There are a lot of them!

saddlerscott

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

It could, but it could also be a bit of a nightmare. It's absolutely not something you can cut corners on: a beat-up second hand minibus does NOT inspire confidence. Plus you'd be well advised to insist that all your drivers have MIDAS training (google that plus your local area for details / local costs), kept up to date. Plus insurance wouldn't be cheap. Plus servicing and maintenance can be unexpectedly expensive. Plus when it's off the road, you may have people relying on it.

In our area, we have a community transport charity devoted pretty much just to the hire of minibuses, so I'd say it was a bit of a niche rather than a bolt-on service!

I understand these concerns, but I have considered them. In regards to the maintenance, I have a garage that will do the maintenance for free, within reason. The intention was to use people with a license to carry passengers at first, but then to get people this qualification who would be willing to drive for free.

I don't think people would be relying on it as it would be used more sparingly by local teams, rather than all the time.

I would hope to get a minibus in decent condition, but from experience around here, people dont mind what condition its in provided its the right price.