Creating things to sell to raise funds for charity

Crisp_£_note

Hi

A friend of mines toddler has been diagnosed with a rare eye cancer called Retinoblastoma and they have set up a fund to raise money for the cause and raise vital awareness for others to detect the simple signs which arnt widley publicised.

I cant just sit back and let them fight on alone so am needing ideas to help raise the funds and awareness of the appeal.

Can anyone suggest ways I can do this, am sure theres more than a zillion ways but I dont know where or how to start.

Inoticed theres a lot of things that can be made and sold such as the Sweet Trees, Pots of gold, cakes, cookies, etc etc etc but wondered just how much they cost to make up. I need to be efficient with cost and time obviously (which includes stall hire if I was to sell them at fetes etc) I cant afford to spend too much myself as I am just about coping financialy as it is. Are there 'kits' available to make them?


Thanks in advance for all the suggestions the help is much appreciated.

Giggles_Fairy

What a lovely thing to do.

How about memory wire bracelets? You just need some pliers to but the wire, pliers to curl the end, memory wire, and lots of beads! Not much outlay. Beads can cost money but when I started out I just went to car boots and bought jobs lots of peoples oldcostume jewellery (often 10-20p a necklace or bracelet) which also meant I got lots of lovely unusual beads. You could even ask people to donate their old jewellery for you to upcycle into the bracelets. You could set up a page selling the bracelets on facebook and twitter with information on the cause you are raising money for. Maybe include a little note in each bracelet explaining also. That way for a few pounds they get a lovely bracelet and also know they are helping someone in need.

It bracelets are also easy to make but look really effective

Mrs_Boo_Boo

If you are handy with a sewing machine then there are lots of things to make.
We raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society and find handmade stuff sells really well. Old clothes are a good source of material and bed linen bought from car boot sales. Use old quilts and pillows for stuffing.
Bunting goes down well as does shopping bags.
Our best money spinner is a children's lucky dip. We usually buy cheap party gift packs and wrap them up in tissue paper,then put them in a box of shredded paper. Usually have certain colours for boys and girls.At 50p a shot, children and parents don't mind paying out.
Tags made from old Christmas/birthday cards.
Good luck

Savvybunny2009

What a lovely idea.

I would suggest you would need to avoid food products as you need hygiene certificates, and if made at home your kitchen may need to be inspected, liability insurance etc.

I would stick to non edible items, perhaps you could knit or sew some cute characters? Sock monkeys are terribly easy to do and people seem to love them maybe you could speak with your friends and see if it is a charity they have set up and if they have any logo etc, maybe you could make sock monkeys with a defining symbol like pudsey or something?

It also depends on where you want to sell them, you need to inform HMRC if you are selling for profit (even if the proceeds go to charity I believe) to take care of the tax side of things.

I guess it depends what you want to do and on what scale, maybe you could get in touch with the charity they are supporting and ask if there is anyway you can help, and the could suggest ways?

Wishing you all the best.

dottygirl

Hi I used to run fun days at home. I didnt have a very big house or garden. I made up games like "Beat the washing line" where a person had to hang up clothes on the washing line then put them back in the basket it was all timed and the person with the quickest time won a small prize. Also used to collect all the buy one get one free tins etc and then had guess the price of the hamper - the prize was the hamper.I found people didnt mind paying if they were enjoying themselves. I also charged for coffee and tea. Your friend is lucky to have you. Good luck x

Crisp_£_note

Savvybunny2009 wrote: »

What a lovely idea.

I would suggest you would need to avoid food products as you need hygiene certificates, and if made at home your kitchen may need to be inspected, liability insurance etc.

I would stick to non edible items, perhaps you could knit or sew some cute characters? Sock monkeys are terribly easy to do and people seem to love them maybe you could speak with your friends and see if it is a charity they have set up and if they have any logo etc, maybe you could make sock monkeys with a defining symbol like pudsey or something?

It also depends on where you want to sell them, you need to inform HMRC if you are selling for profit (even if the proceeds go to charity I believe) to take care of the tax side of things.

I guess it depends what you want to do and on what scale, maybe you could get in touch with the charity they are supporting and ask if there is anyway you can help, and the could suggest ways?

Wishing you all the best.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Savvy that sets the allarm bells ringing for me as I am not only on longterm Incapacity Benefit and 'unfit for work' but I am currently under a Debt Releif Order at the moment. So either way making any income sounds scuppered, even if it is for charity to help a friends child

Botheration!

What can I do now?!

Savvybunny2009

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Savvy that sets the allarm bells ringing for me as I am not only on longterm Incapacity Benefit and 'unfit for work' but I am currently under a Debt Releif Order at the moment. So either way making any income sounds scuppered, even if it is for charity to help a friends child

Botheration!

What can I do now?!

All is not lost, although you will be unable to make items to sell yourself, you could make the items and perhaps donate them to your friends to sell or pass them onto a charity.

There are things you can do to help but it does become difficult if it crosses over to you working or earning.

Crisp_£_note

Savvybunny2009 wrote: »

All is not lost, although you will be unable to make items to sell yourself, you could make the items and perhaps donate them to your friends to sell or pass them onto a charity.

There are things you can do to help but it does become difficult if it crosses over to you working or earning.

So I could make them as a hobby to pass the time and give them to someone else to sell for me? Even if I end up selling stuff on ebay through them I will find a way to raise some money to help them out.
Thanks

wa125

Hi,that is a really nice thing to do for your friend.
You could raise money by doing "bus stops"
They are VERY cheap- on eBay there are 25 cards
For no more than 4 pound.
Customers write their name in the box and pay you the price you've set.

When the card is full scratch off the panel and whoever's name corresponds to the winning team wins half the take.

The other half goes to your team or charity.
You could also do things such a "spot the ball"

Hope this helps
Good luck x