We gladly welcome and invite anyone to fundraise in aid of the "Walking With Giants Foundation".
This form of support can provide us with a constant stream of income to help us meet our aims and objectives. It also helps us any current appeals that we have in place.
Whether your’ fundraising project is big or small, it will make a difference to the individuals and families affected by Primordial Dwarfism here in the UK and around the world.
Your fundraising effort will help a unique group of individuals and their families enjoy life through an uncertain future.
As you are aware, individuals affected by Primordial Dwarfism are some of the smallest individuals in world, especially within the MOPDII subtype.
Some of individuals are no taller than 2 feet tall. Most do not reach the height of 3ft 6in. They encounter obstacles that most people take for granted.
Everyday these inspirational individuals face hurdles that require determination, strength and support. Your support will allow them to overcome these hurdles!
At the end of the pack you will find several testimonials from some of the families that we have been able help through people like yourself.
This will show how important your help is!
If you do want to go ahead with raising money for the ‘WWGF’, it is important that you contact us to let us know what type of event you planning to do along with when and where.
This will allow us to send you an official letter of authority and a sponsor form (if applicable).
Without this letter you will not be authorised to raise money for the WWGF for some events. Additionally members of the public may ask for confirmation to see if you are genuinely raising money for the WWGF.
About Fundraising
There are a number of laws and regulations governing how people can collect or fundraise for a charity.
Different laws and regulations apply depending on where and how you decide to raise funds. They are designed to protect you, the volunteer fundraiser and the public from fraud and to ensure best practice.
When you are fundraising for the ‘WWGF’, you are representing us, so we ask you to comply with our fundraising rules, the relevant laws and Regulations; and be guided by our principles in all that you do.
It is essential that any fundraising activity or event should be run legally and safely. We have provided some information in this pack to guide you organise your events legally and safely, but it is the responsibility of the events organiser to ensure compliance with legal, health and safety standards.
How your money helps
Money raised for the Foundation is used in many ways.
However we are proud to state that over 99% of the funds raised or donated are used directly to benefit individuals affected by Primordial Dwarfism, along with their families here in the UK and around the world.
Some of the areas where funds will and are used for (but not limited to):
•Facilitate Research (Internally and when the need arises medically).
•Professional Advice (independent medical and legal).
•Assist with medical costs.
•Adaptive equipment.
•When necessary, send families to America to meet experts for assessments.
•Send families to America to meet other families and individuals affected by Primordial Dwarfism as part of an educational awareness program.
•Produce education, awareness literature.
•Family support meetings.
•Short Breaks.
•Allow us to hold a yearly Convention and allow families to attend.
•Day trips (theatre, specialised play centres, zoo, during Annual Convention)
•Fund specialist equipment and toys.
•Custom made clothes, play costumes and furniture.
•Send a birthday card and gift voucher on a PD Child’s birthdays.
•Provide necessary provisions to help parents cope with the day-to-day issues they face (for example, driving lessons, training, counselling)
We mentioned early that we are proud that over 99% of the funds raised is utilised solely for the benefit of the individual and families affected by Primordial Dwarfism.
We are equally proud that that no money given to the Foundation is used to fund salaries or any major administration costs, apart from stationary, office sundries, postage, awareness materials and products, website hosting, volume printing and necessary insurance (public liability insurance).
The charity is a home-based organisation, run by the founders (Sue and John Connerty), who bear most of the running costs themselves.
Additionally Sue and John, along with the other trustees and volunteers donate their time and services for free by using their spare time, sometimes using unpaid and annual leave from their daily jobs, and they do not draw on the charities funds to recover these losses apart from:
•Occasional petrol fees to help them get to trustee meetings.
•When the need arises to cover travel and accommodation costs when they attend events or official business and family network meetings on behalf of the Foundation.
Fundraising Ideas
There are hundreds of different ways you can raise money for the ‘WWGF’, but we suggest you choose the one that you will enjoy the most! Try involving family, friends and work colleagues.
Here are some popular ideas.
1. Quiz evenings
Organise just one night or a whole series of quizzes in your local pub or social club. You can charge entry for each team and get prizes donated. Many pubs or social clubs will be happy to support you as the event will bring them extra customers.
2. Sponsorship and challenges
Can you face 24 hours of not swearing, smoking or speaking?
If you can, get sponsored for it! Or why not try sporting ventures such as swimming, cycling or running, and get fit at the same time.
There are plenty of things you can get sponsored for –from giving up chocolate for a month to having your beard/hair shaved off. Or feeling more adventurous?
You could take on the challenge of a lifetime – from abseiling down a building to running a marathon – and you can ask people to sponsor you for your efforts.
Or perhaps you are just starting out and want a more manageable challenge like a three mile run and fancy an extra incentive by taking part for the ‘WWGF’.
See the Challenge Events section for some activities that you might be able to get involved with.
3. Auction of promises
Auction lots could range from two hours of dog walking to theatre tickets, meals in local restaurants or mowing your neighbour’s lawn.
You could even auction someone’s skills – e.g. decorating. You could hold it at home or in a local venue and charge a small entrance fee.
Make sure you have got plenty to auction and get local publicity to encourage people to attend.
4. Dinner party
Cook a meal and invite your friends –for a price! You could also run a mini-raffle or auction during dinner to provide additional entertainment and raise money.
5. Odd jobs
Help a neighbour or member of your family by taking their dog for a walk, doing their shopping or cleaning up the garden in exchange for a small donation. Better still why not encourage your family members to get sponsored to do household tasks – you will raise money for a good cause and help to create equality in your home!
6. Social event
Hold a party, BBQ, coffee morning, or even a wine tasting. Charge people to attend and organise a raffle. Everyone will have a great time and the money raised will make a real difference to the ‘WWGF’.
7. Sporting event
If you are part of a sports club, golf club or fitness centre, you could organise a charity football match, golf day or fancy dress sports challenge. Maybe your club has one already and you could nominate the ‘WWGF’ to be the benefiting charity?
8. Collections
Get permission to collect from your local supermarket, pub, football club, train station, theatre, cinema or shopping centre. See page 4 for some top tips on organising a collection.
9. School Events
Ask your child’s school to arrange a fete, disco, or allow the children to wear their own clothes or pyjama’s to school for 50p or a £1.00.
10. Recruit new supporters
Encourage your friends to make a regular donation. If every ‘WWGF’ supporter recruited only two more people it would make a huge difference to our income and our work.
You and your friends can make regular donations to the ‘WWGF’ via the ‘justgiving’ website.
Money raised or donated via ‘justgiving’ can also generate more money for us from the Government‘s Gift Aid scheme.
In a nutshell for every £10.00 raised or donated the ‘WWGF’ can claim an extra £2.82 from the Government.
To make a regular or a one-off donation online, please visit :
Did you know that you can also create a fundraising page to support your efforts? It takes the hassle out of manually collecting sponsorship money plus at the same time gives you the chance to advertise your fundraising efforts!
For more information about setting up a fundraising page, please visit:
Please not that the Foundation do not offer any guaranteed places in any of above events, especially the marathons.
The reason for this is due to the costs involved and the burden on the fundraiser to raise enough sponsorship to make it all worthwhile. For example, the cost involved in obtaining 4 places in the London Marathon is around £5,500.00 to a charity and this would mean each runner would have to raise £1,375.00 just to recover our initial outlay.
The following are some “Top Tips” for organising an event; do not let them scare you off. They are given for your protection and so that you do not waste any of your own money.
1. Plan in advance
Think carefully about the event before you start and put an action plan together. Work out how long it will take you to organise it, who you could contact to help you and how much it might raise in relation to the effort
involved. Try to find something that you will enjoy doing.
2. Work out a budget
Costs include postage, printing, photocopying, equipment, catering and hire charges. Try to get individuals or local businesses to donate the things you need. Please contact us for advice before making any approaches to large companies as we may have recently asked for people’s support.
Your income might include ticket/entry fees, sponsorship, donations, raffles, auctions, advertising and sale of goods and refreshments. You must make sure that your expected income is much higher than your costs or the event will not be worth running.
3. Make sure you have thought of everything
Write down a list of all the things that you need to organise and tick them off as you go along.
They should include:
• What is the event?
• How much will it cost to run?
• How will you publicise your event?
• How much will it raise?
• When and where will you hold the event?
• Is the venue confirmed?
• How much support do you need?
• How will you collect money?
• Will you receive money before, during or after the event?
• Do you need to ask for any special permission to hold the event? (e.g. do you need a licence?)
4. Do I need special permission?
If you are holding your event in a public place, you may need to inform local police and your local council. They may ask to see a letter of authority from the WWGF.
You may also need an entertainment licence. If you want to sell alcoholic drinks at your event and the venue is not already licensed, you will need to obtain a licence for this.
Here's a checklist of all the questions you need to ask yourself when you are organising a larger scale fundraising event
Planning
• Is the date suitable or does it clash with any major or national event in your area?
• Who can help you?
• Do you need a committee?
• How much are you aiming to raise?
• Is it worth doing – are the costs low and potential income worthwhile?
• When are you planning to hold your event? Do you have time to organise everything?
Promoting your event
• Do you know who you are trying to attract to support the event?
• Do you need any flyers, posters or invitations? How many? Who will design and print them? How much will they cost?
• Have you decided where to distribute them?
• Do you need to send a press release to local papers or local radio?
Venue information
• Is the venue free? If not how much does it cost?
• Is it available on the date and at the time required?
• Is it big enough? Are there enough seats/ tables etc?
• Does it have disabled access?
• Is a deposit required? Would you lose it if you had to cancel the event?
• Do they provide catering facilities? How much, what choice and is there a vegetarian option?
• Can they meet other dietary requirements?
Equipment
• Do you need a TV, video, CD player or microphone?
• How much would this cost? Can you get the equipment for free?
• Do you need to put down a deposit? Would you lose it if you had to cancel the event?
• What ‘WWGF’ information do you need to create? (Posters, Awareness Literature)
Licence/permission
You may need an entertainment licence or to inform the local police or the council – check with the venue where the event is behind held.
Helpers
• How many people do you need to help you run the event?
• Do they know what to do? Make sure you brief everyone thoroughly before the event.
• Remember to thank them after the event.
Finance
• Will you receive money before, during or after the event?
• Do you have somewhere safe to keep the money?
• Do you have someone to witness you counting the money? There should be at least two of you present for your own protection.
• Keep careful records of the accounts so that you can show exactly how any money has been handled.
Health and safety
• Do you need to complete a risk assessment?
• Do you need first aid cover? (The British Red Cross or St John’s Ambulance may be able to provide this.)
• Do you need to make alternative arrangements if it is an outside event and the weather is bad?
• Do you need insurance?
Lotteries and Raffles
A standard form of fundraising at many events is the sale of raffle tickets or scratch cards, or a tombola or prize draw.
These are all forms of lotteries and are regulated by the law.
What is a lottery?
This is not a simple question, but over the years the courts have developed a definition on the basis that a lottery involves the distribution of prizes by chance where a person pays for that chance. As soon as an element of skill is involved, or a person does not have to pay to enter, this will be outside the scope of being a lottery.
The law distinguishes between three main types of lotteries:
• small lotteries
• private lotteries
• society lotteries.
The principal type of lottery for the purpose of raising funds for the ‘WWGF’ will be small lotteries. In this respect, the following conditions must be met:
• Tickets for small lotteries can only be sold during the event although you can advertise them beforehand.
• You must not have money prizes (although store
vouchers are fine).
• You must not spend more than £250 on prizes (donated prizes don’t count).
• Tickets must not be more than £2 each and all tickets must have an equal chance of winning.
• The result of the small lottery raffle must be drawn at
the event.
• The proceeds, after deducting certain expenses (e.g. printing of tickets) must go to the ‘WWGF’.
• On all printed materials you use, including letters, tickets and posters, you must state that the Walking With Giants Foundation is a registered charity and also show our charity registration number, which is 1123246
• Permission may be required from the local police in respect of alcoholic prizes.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Organising a Collection
Location of collection
• The ‘WWGF’ do not have a licence to collect in the street or house-to-house so it is not possible to fundraise in this way without getting a licence from your local authority.
However to collect sponsorship or donations on private property such as a supermarket, a single pub or train station, you currently only need the permission of the owner or manager of the outlet. It is best to get this in advance in writing. They will also possibly want to see a letter of authority from us, granting you permission to fundraise in aid of the WWGF.
• If you are the owner or manager of a store and wish to conduct a collection, think carefully about the placing of collection boxes, with regard to security. Try to avoid positions near an exit or entrance
• Consider issues of personal safety and security when choosing a location
Collection boxes/buckets
• Use a collecting box/bucket made out of a durable material such as metal, wood or plastic that can be securely sealed. It should be possible to tell if the seal has been tampered with
• Label the box/bucket with “In aid of the “Walking With Giants Foundation” and include in small print “Registered Charity Number 1123246”
• If more than one box is being used number them sequentially and make a note of the persona name that is holding the box.
• All of your fundraisers should make it clear that you are fundraising in aid of the “Walking With Giants Foundation”, but that you do not represent the charity
• Empty the collection boxes regularly
When collecting
• Stand somewhere where you can be seen, but make sure you are not blocking paths or entrances
• Make eye contact, be positive when greeting people, thank everyone and smile!
• Anyone under the age of 16 who is collecting should be accompanied by an adult
• Increase your visibility and get people’s attention by dressing in bright colours or wearing a costume
When counting the money
• Count the contents in the presence of at least two people
• Expenses must not be deducted from the funds collected
• Cash ought to be counted in a safe environment and held in a secure place until it is possible to bank it
• Bank the money at your nearest bank or post office and send us a cheque (made payable to “Walking With Giants Foundation”) within one week of the collection
Because you can reach the people you need to through the right media, free of charge.
To achieve this, you need to be inventive and creative - giving the media a truly interesting story.
This guide is designed to assist you in gaining publicity to help your fundraising effort
Writing a good press release
A press release contains details of a news story sent to the media, in the hope that it will encourage them to cover the story.
Editors are interested in how newsworthy a story is, rather than how worthy it is. So your press release needs to be well-written and presented to catch their eye.
The best press releases have:
• a gripping first paragraph
• a local link or a good human interest angle
• a quote from a named person
• a contact name and phone number.
Ask yourself:
• is what we’re doing the biggest or the best?
• is it a first?
• is there something unusual or unique about it?
Your press release should answer all the following questions:
• who is doing it?
• what is it?
• where is it?
• when is it?
• why is it being done?
• how is it taking place?
• can people help?
Overall, try to put yourself in the position of the person reading your press release who will be judging whether or not the story is truly newsworthy.
You need to show your press release to the ‘WWGF’ before you circulate it.
Hitting the target
Local papers are interested in a local slant to a story, because it will have more relevance to their audience.
Photographs
A picture paints a thousand words and often trebles your column inches coverage. Consider sending out a good quality print in black and white or colour (depending on the publication) that illustrates your information.
Check you have permission to use the image.
Handling media interest
Great news! Your local paper has shown an interest and wants to interview you. Now what?
Contact ‘WWGF’ and let us know that you are going to be interviewed.
During your interview
During your interview, if there are any issues or topics you are not clear about, tell the journalist that you will get back to them and contact us for more information.
Don’t feel pressurised into talking about anything you are not sure about.
Be prepared
The most important thing to remember is to be prepared - know what you are fundraising for and how you are going to do it.
Have a couple of points ready that you want to get across – feel free to ask the reporter what questions they are likely to ask before the interview.
And finally, if you remember the following five key messages, you should be well on your way to a successful interview:
• be clear
• be upbeat
• give examples to illustrate
• avoid jargon
• concentrate on your key message.
If you are approached by your local radio or TV station, please discuss this with the ‘WWGF’ before you set up any interviews
Simple press release
Here’swhat a press release should include. If you read it through, you’ll find some handy tips for getting it right!
PRESS RELEASE
Embargo: If you have an embargo deadline (a time and date before which you don’t want your press release to become public), make it clear here. For example: Not for publication before 0800 hours on x date.
A snappy title
Today’s date
The first few lines should get the attention of the reader.
Keep the introduction brief and try to make it punchy.
The basic details of who, what, where, when, how and why should be in the first couple of sentences.
Try to write short, crisp paragraphs. Use clear, simple English. Avoid jargon.
“Quotes are great. You can use them to include subjective information, which is really wonderful! It’s OK to use shortened words with apostrophes. Quotes add interest to the story, providing they sound natural and believable.”
The body text, however, should remain objective and should not use shortened or abbreviated versions.
Break up the text with paragraphs. Keep it interesting.
“ Ideally, a press release should be on one page if possible,” said David Smith, event organiser.
“ I make sure everything’s bin threw the spell chequer, but don’t completely rely on it! ”
If you go onto more than one page, include page numbers, staple them together and include the words ‘more follows’ at the bottom of each page.
If possible, end on a high note. “We all had a good laugh,”added Rhett, “when we saw the draft press release! ”
ENDS
Further information: every press release should have at least one contact person, preferably two. Include contact numbers and website (if your raising money through a Justgiving web site page) and email addresses if applicable.
You should include the ‘WWGF’ as a second contact in case anyone wants official verification of what you are doing.
Photo opportunity: Location, time and date of anything interesting happening that serves to illustrate the story further.
For example:
Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend the launch of the xyz event where David Smith will be… etc.
NB. You must show your draft press release to the ‘WWGF’ before you circulate it.
The reason for this is we have to ensure that the charity is being displayed in a good light especially because of subject matter and more importantly children are involved.
Other Issues
As mention earlier in this pack, there are a number of laws and regulations governing how people can collect or fundraise for a charity.
Different laws and regulations apply depending on where and how you decide to raise funds. They are designed to protect you, the volunteer fundraiser and the public from fraud and to ensure best practice.
When you are fundraising for the ‘WWGF’, you are representing us so we ask you to comply with our fundraising rules, the relevant laws and regulations and be guided by our principles in all that you do.
We have outlined within the document some critical issues to avoid any problems but if you have any concerns at all, please contact us using the details found at the bottom of the pages of this pack.
Materials
On all printed materials you use, including letters, tickets and posters, you must state that the “Walking With Giants Foundation” is a Registered Charity, number
1123246.
Please also ensure that on materials you are clear that
activities are “In aid of the Walking With Giants Foundation”, and not on behalf of the “Walking With Giants Foundation” as slightly different regulations apply to fundraising organised by the charity itself or commissioned by the ‘WWGF’.
Paying in the proceeds
Please make sure that the money you raise is sent to the ‘WWGF’ as quickly as possible after your event.
Don’t send cash through the post. Wherever possible, encourage people to write cheques, made payable to “Walking With Giants Foundation”.
If you receive cash or cheques payable to yourself, bank them and then write a cheque payable to “Walking With Giants Foundation” for the full amount.
Please send the cheques with a brief description of how the money was raised, to the following address:
Walking With Giants Foundation
PO Box 85
Maghull
Liverpool
L31 6WW
Don't forget to include your name and address details so that we can say thank you! Feel free to send in any photos or press cuttings about your event - we love hearing how you got on and who knows, you may even feature in one of our newsletters or on the website!
Useful websites
www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk - for information about fundraising codes of practice and advice on everything from a running a raffle, to holding a collection, or fundraising in school.
www.hse.gov.uk - for information about health and safety rules to follow at your event.
www.yell.com - to find details of venues in your area (or check out your local council website).
If you ALREADY shop online, why not help the ‘WWGF’ at no extra cost from purchases you would make anyway.
Easyfundraising is a shopping directory listing some of your favourite online stores, including Argos, Next, Amazon, Debenhams, John Lewis, Toys R Us, HMV and over 600 other top name stores.
Whenever you shop with any one of them using the links provided on the easyfundraising site, you'll generate a
free donation for us of up to 15% of the purchase price every time!
It really is that simple!
It's completely FREE to register and you won't pay a penny more for your shopping when you use the
easyfundraising site.
In fact you can even SAVE MONEY as many retailers give discounts, special offers and even 'e-vouchers' exclusive to easyfundraising.
You can shop for holidays, flights, electronics, mobile phones, computing equipment, food, wine, pet supplies, finance, insurance and much more - and every purchase you make will raise funds for us at absolutely no cost to you!
All you need to do is register for free at http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk. Then pick the “Walking With Giants Foundation” as you cause and use easyfundraising every time you shop online.
Sunday, 28 February 2010 21:39
