Tips much appreciated please

bluetimone97

My son (17) is going to Kenya in November to help teach in a school, the trip donates almost £800 to a charity (organising) in the UK and the rest is costs through an ethical company. His individual target is £1995 and so far I have covered the deposit and he has been trying to fundraise.

He has sent over 150 letters to companies and businesses asking for any assistance they feel they could provide including prizes for a raffle due to be held in July and had 3 replies from Tesco, Sainsburys etc, saying they cannot help and one local swimming pool that provided a month pass as a prize.

He has spent a couple of weekends holding a crossbar challenge event, this raised £46 for 2 days (I don't think the weather helped).

I really am becoming disillusioned and failing to see how I can advise him, any tips please?

Dad's sub contracted to a small company (2 employees) so no personal links.

devildog

TBH I think that there would of been more of a response if it was your son who took the initiative and posted asking for help-just my personal opinion. I know to write a decent letter asking for help can take a considerable amount of time and effort BUT from what you have said it appears that he has done little else apart from the challenge event. If he is serious enough about going to Kenya maybe he should consider doing physical graft like grass cutting, weeding, car washing, car boot sales, bag packing at a supermarket etc.

Also in his letters did he state what event the raffle was to be held at, how the funds raised will be used plus a bit about himself and why he wants to go to Kenya? If his letters read a bit run of the mill and he didn't engage the reader he is less likely to get a response. Letters need to sound enthusiastic and MAKE the reader want to help.

kremmen

I am afraid I have no experience of fund raising but I can't help but agree that he needs to get up and do something.

Last year I was at a footy match and as usaual at away matches there were no catering facilities until halfway through the match when someone set up a BBQ and urn and started selling tea/coffee and burgers.

It was a great idea and when I congratulated the girl serving ( with dad dragged into the deal) she advised that she was raising money for her fare to a charity event.

Ok so footy is over but the weather is better and surely something could be arranged.

Also how many doors has your son knocked on in your street to ask if they want the car washed / lawn mowed / etc "bob a job" style ( sorry just my age). I know I would allow a neighbour to earn money this way if it was for a good cause.

Good luck

Paul

bluetimone97

Thanks for replies guys, he has been looking for any work and has managed to save any money he has received for little odd jobs, but is only about a quarter of the way there (£500ish).

He is trying hard and is off doing volunteer work at weekends at present hoping that it may lead to job opportunities, he is also a little weighted down by A levels at present but is easing now.

His letter is well written and has been proof read by the charity and the company so I don't think that is the issue, I think he just needs to concentrate on trying to organise events that may bring some money.

I understand times are hard all around and hope he gets there, I have not told him that I will fund any (but obviously I will if he carries on putting effort in).

kazzah60

to be honest, I think it may be the charity that is putting people off - I believe that many organisations will receive HUNDREDS of similar letters from people like your son who have chosen to undertake voluntary work abroad - my friends son did a similar thing for Cambodia and along with the rest of his 6th form friends - they were all targetting a similar range of businesses - and one of them actually told my friends son that " we are not interested in funding your jolly to Cambodia" - if you want to go there, then find the money by working.

having said that my friends son and the rest of his friends who were undertaking the trip got together and asked a local supermarket if they could run a bag packing service ( you need quite a few people to do that) and collect donations which then then split between each of them

likewise they organised a major car was at the local fire station and split the proceeds with the Fire service benevolent fund

i do think if he gets together with a group of people they would have more luck

Karen

scotrae

I've seen lots of young people featured in our local daily paper appealing for support and funding for trips and experiences like this. I'm not sure that they all get a rush of people wanting to help them pay but it's worth a go. But there are so many young people doing this sort of thing and I'm afraid it's becoming increasingly difficult to raise the money. Good luck to him. I am sure he'll have an amazing experience once he gets there.

levigribbin

Have a look for trust funds? Depending on if your son meets the requirements then they may make a donation.
You could also hold a race night - they usually raise about £1000. Or if you want to help him then you could organise a Ladies Night and get the local beauticians to help out by doing nails etc. They usually could do with the business! You could also ask them to donate prizes. Thats what I'm organising just now - so if you need a hand just drop me a pm I'm happy to help x

Hermia

kazzah60 wrote: »

to be honest, I think it may be the charity that is putting people off - I believe that many organisations will receive HUNDREDS of similar letters from people like your son who have chosen to undertake voluntary work abroad - my friends son did a similar thing for Cambodia and along with the rest of his 6th form friends - they were all targetting a similar range of businesses - and one of them actually told my friends son that " we are not interested in funding your jolly to Cambodia"

I think that this is the problem. We have had some letters like this from young people asking for sponsership to walk the great wall of China, do gap year charity trip or work with orangutans in Borneo. A lot of them look like activities many of us would like to do as a holiday or hobby so there isn't much sympathy, especially in a recession.

Businesses want to get something out of it so is there any way your son could convince them that they will benefit. My friend did get a research/charity trip to Malawi sponsered by a business. But, she agreed to write up an account of her trip for their website and newsletter. She also had to mention their help whenever she wrote anything about her trip or gave a talk (she gave a few talks to local groups).

Bewe

If he goes to the library they should have a directory of grant-making trusts for individuals. I did a similar volunteer trip a few years ago in Borneo and had to raise thousands. I got £1000 just writing letters to several trust funds, so they're definitely worth a go.

darkpool

tbh, i wouldn't give money for someone else to go on holiday

FredWhispers

The problem is that each and every person/company is being battered by requests for charity. Through the post, on the net, at the door, in the street. There is no escape.

Most companies, rightly in my opinion, only donate where there own staff are involved. Why would you donate to a complete stranger?

Fred