funding a wannabe superstar

wilf55

hi everyone

my 14 yr old is hoping to be a tour golfer

this will hopefully be a diary of what he does but mainly of how i fund it! thats the scary bit

we have no extra income after the bills are paid and i dont know how i am going to raise the cash

i will budget everything on here and then post any income gained from sources to try and fund it

initially my ideas include
mystery shopping
ebay
surveys
tesco voucher for hotel stays
etc

also if i cut back the household expenses might find a few ££'s there

any ideas for the journey will be much appreciated, especially ones that help with the finances

thanks guys

wilf55

eta

it is a realistic dream as he is an england u16 squad player

hypno06

I did something similar for my kids ski training a couple of years ago, and got loads of ideas from people here.

My biggest "thing" was collecting used printer cartridges then selling them on ebay for recycling - even Martin :money: put a note in his weekly newsletter for me, and I was inundated!

The market has tailed off a bit now, but if you can find something similar, then put out an appeal for it, then the sky is the limit.

someone else on here is collecting tin cans for scrap as the price of metal has gone up.

The biggest thing, though, is to get your son involved - my two were working just as hard as I did, and as long as it didn't interfere with training or schooling, that was fine by me, so they were cleaning windows, doing paper rounds and going without presents for birthdays and Christmas from everyone - instead asking for euros or kit towards their skiing.

It was hard work, but it was worth it.

good luck!

wilf55

[STRIKE][/STRIKE]thanks for the words of encouragement hypno06

i am working on a budget now and will post how much i need and what for!

imminently however is a menorca trip to play for the county

funds needed

238 flights return - needed asap £90/238 raised so far from consumer pulse surveys!
150 bed and breakfast - by 5th october 2010
100 for food - dad and I should be like stick insects as we seem to eat breakfast and tea when on golf trips needed by 22 october 2010

we are expecting his coaching and comp dates through ( full list - as we have a rough idea) and then i will be able to budget properly prioritize...work out costings - [STRIKE]and then cry[/STRIKE] sit down and work out where i will get the money from!

any advice or ideas or anything would be greatly appreciated and i can supply full details to anyone that wants/needs them

brand new quest in the making here so really any help advice atall will be greatly received/appreciated

[STRIKE]hypno[/STRIKE] hope your boys enjoyed the journey! what are they doing now? its the sort of thing that you have to give it your best shot! even though the enjoyment might end for ds and it would all be over!

THANKS ALL:beer:

wilf55

so far i have....

approached school for funding - nothing yet
approached local authority for funding - nothing yet
approached housing association for funding - nothing yet
approached governing body (E G U ) nothing yet
approached county - nothing yet

i am also saving tesco vouchers for hotel stays although not saved any yet

thanks everyone - seriously any suggestions welcomed

we all do without clothes, (not completely obviously, dont drink, smoke etc miss out on holidays (we wouldnt have time anyhow) to try and fund this but this year i need to raise money as what i can save will not go far enough) the hows goes without decorating, we miss out on haircuts, etc etc ..you know the story

thanks again any ideas appreciated

a

se999

Small local charities are normally good, as quite often they have terms restricting grants to locals.

What about the his golf club for sponsorship, they would get publicity if he does well, as long as he doesn't mind doing the advertising bit. If they won't sponsor, they might allow you to publicise the fundraising on their noticeboards.

Might one of the golfing mags be interested in running an article on the difficulties of funding young players, you might get some responses as a spin off.

A local sports shop might be willing to come up with sponsorship by supply kit items, or even a specialist larger golf shop.


Rotary club and Lions might be good.

Basically when I was looking for funding for my two (not sports), I scoured the local newspapers for any articles mentioning local charitable organizations or companies already sponsoring in the field.

The recession isn't going to help unfortunately, charities are being hit by decreased donations, and lower returns on their investments.

For courses etc. and buying equipment, explain the financial situation, quite often we managed to get discounts.

wilf55

se999 last year we had a meeting with the captain elect with regarding funding ds and he asked us to write down expendature and he would see what he could do. nothing came of it.. he didint even reply
however the new captain comes in shortly (end oct) and he is much more junior friendly

i also thought of doing a golf day where by i ask local companies, etc and members to donate prizes and have a golf comp and meal which would hopefully raise some money

i have asked some of the local golf shops ie american golf scottsdale but didnt get anywhere with either of them! sorry we got a golf towel from american golf head office

cartridge recycling its worth a try i might ring round tomorrow! it has also given me an idea that whilst ringing round if i cant offer them shredding comparison it give me a cheeky opportunity to just ask for a donation!

since we have become so desperate for cash...which all goes on ds...i seem to be able to get over my shame to ask for things! it kills me doing it but hey...needs must!

thanks all
keep the ideas coming

wilf55

any more ideas guys


thanks in advance

Ink_Guru

Would definately recommend the ink cartridge recycling idea ideal for some spare cash and lots of people do it. Amazed at the amount of people who don't recycle the ink cartridges as lots of companies offer free p&p aswell for your empty ink cartridge.:T

wilf55

have made 75p so far through ink cartridge recycling
am collecting drinks cans for extra clubcard points at tesco

wilf55

JUST TO UPDATE

through negoitating with people
we now get balls at the driving range at half price which equates to £2 per 100 saving me £40 per month through winter
we also get free coaching as my sons coach sees that he has a talent worth working on saving me £80 month
we also have claimed 2 grants which must be claimed with reciepts, another bonus

still need more so will update you

i have tried with the cartridges and it is still ongoing but not had much success as yet...approx £3 but every penny counts

sent out 60 sponsorship opportunity requests to companies last week will chase them up next week with a phone call but nothing to report on that front

any more ideals gladly received

thanks