Fundraising for an operation in America

jonnythain

Hi,

I am just wondering if anybody can help me with this one. My son is 5 years old and has Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) which is a form of Cerebral Palsy. You wouldn't know there was anything wrong with him apart from the fact he can't walk without a walking frame. I have been in contact with St. Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri USA about an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), and found out last night that he has been accepted. The cost of the operation will be about £40,000 i think, so obviously the raising of money will be starting very soon.

What i want to find out about is the following:

1. What bank account i should use to collect the funds?
2. I don't believe that i can set this up as some sort of charity due to the nature of me raising money at this point solely for my son, is this correct?
3. There are many fundraising sites such as Justgiving, but i don’t think i can use these either?

I’m just after the best way of collecting money and making it easy for people to donate. I am also unsure of any tax implications, but it goes without saying that this is purely NON PROFIT.

Any help, pointers or anything anyone can assist with will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

seabright

A trustees account with at least 2 signatories would be best, I think. Also, set up a PayPal account people can use to donate with and maybe a Facebook page, so people can "like" and receive updates

EssexAlan

Jonny,

Take a look at Simply Fundraising, they offer a free, passive Fundraising service.
I also note they have a very similar cause on their Cause list.

Good luck and keep us informed with how it goes.

Alan

borders_dude

jonnythain wrote: »

Hi,

I am just wondering if anybody can help me with this one. My son is 5 years old and has Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) which is a form of Cerebral Palsy. You wouldn't know there was anything wrong with him apart from the fact he can't walk without a walking frame. I have been in contact with St. Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri USA about an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), and found out last night that he has been accepted. The cost of the operation will be about £40,000 i think, so obviously the raising of money will be starting very soon.

What i want to find out about is the following:

1. What bank account i should use to collect the funds?
2. I don't believe that i can set this up as some sort of charity due to the nature of me raising money at this point solely for my son, is this correct?
3. There are many fundraising sites such as Justgiving, but i don’t think i can use these either?

I’m just after the best way of collecting money and making it easy for people to donate. I am also unsure of any tax implications, but it goes without saying that this is purely NON PROFIT.

Any help, pointers or anything anyone can assist with will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

How much of the £40,000 grand can you contribute or are you looking for the public to fund it all? Do you own your house? You could possibly re-mortgage it?

Contact your local paper to tell your 'sob story' they might run an interest article. That would probably help to bring in some cash for going abroad.

Good luck

Thatchapdean

borders_dude wrote: »

How much of the £40,000 grand can you contribute or are you looking for the public to fund it all? Do you own your house? You could possibly re-mortgage it?

Contact your local paper to tell your 'sob story' they might run an interest article. That would probably help to bring in some cash for going abroad.

Good luck

Could you be any more offensive with 'sob story'?

martindow

Thatchapdean wrote: »

Could you be any more offensive with 'sob story'?

Probably not, but border's other point regarding the OP's contribution is relevant.

If you want people, many of them strangers, to pitch in with money the OP should make public what they are contributing to the fund. In fact getting a loan or remortgage may well be the quickest way of raising the money and I imagine the sooner treatment can be started the better.

OP - I hope you succeed in raising the money.

jonnythain

Thanks to the replies so far, what does "OP" mean?

Yes of course i will do whatever it takes, i am in the process of making a website so everybody has a clear understanding of what the cause is to the n'th degree. I would never expect people to contribute without a clear understanding. I would not say it is my contribution that is relevant, but my FAMILY contribution, after all that is what we are, and most of our time and resources will be dedicated to raising the money, if i could fund the majority of this myself i would, believe me paying the money myself would be the easiest option, but is no good to remortgage and find myself not being able to meet repayments due to this???

If sob story is a 5 year old boy who can't walk and can be given the chance to walk, then a sob story it is, however to me it is a life changing operation for him and a sob story would indicate that i have ulterior motives.

There are lots of people already that want to contribute, i am just trying to get these foudations in place.

Thanks

snowman2_2

OP = Original Poster

smileypigface

Our neighbours have recently returned from America - their little girl had the same operation just before Christmas.

They also raised the funds needed for the operation - they funded their flight and accommodation themselves. They had all sorts of fundraising activities - a Ball, sponsored Dragon Boat Racing Team ... all kinds of things.

If you would like to know their website address - to get some ideas - please feel free to PM me and I'll let you know.

I know they got in touch with people from all over the world who had been through the same thing - I am sure they would be only too happy to share their experience if you wanted to contact them via their website.

Wishing you all the very best x

jonnythain

smileypigface i have sent you a PM.

Many thanks