Fundraising and Events Guide Thank you for your time and support “Melvil received his tricycle and was over the moon. Not a day goes by since he received it that he has not used it with a smile on his face. He now looks forward to going to the nursery so that he can ride on his bike to show off to his friends at school. Thank you Dream Comes True for making a difference in the lives of children who have been through difficulties in life. This really makes a difference to Melvil’s daily life and to us as parents also. Thank you again.” Melvil’s Mum Eve
Keep in touch! Facebook: Dreamer654 Twitter: @dreamer654 Pinterest: pinterest.com DCTCharity/ Dreams Come True Exchange House 33 Station Road Liphook Hampshire GU30 7DW T: 01428 726330 F: 01428 724953 E: info@dreamscometrue.uk.com Freephone: 0800 018 6013
www.dreamscometrue.uk.com Registered as a Charity in England and Wales (800248) and in Scotland (SC043878)
Thank you. Together we can make Dreams Come True
You
can make a difference “I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the wonderful trip to South Africa. It was a once in a lifetime trip for Hope and her brother, and we hope that they will cherish the memories that we hopefully made for them. It was a very special trip, and Hope really bonded with all her family.” Hope’s Mum
Happy Fundraising! What’s your dream fundraising idea? Whether you want to run a marathon, host a Dream Tea, shave your head or trek to Everest basecamp, we love hearing about your amazing stories and will be on hand to support your fundraising efforts, big or small!
Hope is a very brave two-year-old girl who was born with a life-threatening heart defect. Her mum, Leanne said, Hope is a cherished little girl because ‘We nearly lost her at birth.’ She has already had vital-heart surgery and will have to have another opertaion very soon.
You can help bring joy to the lives of children and young people with serious or life-limiting conditions across the UK.
Hope’s dream was to visit her grandparents who live in South Africa. Before the holiday, Leanne said ‘We would love to introduce our little miracle to our family.’
Fulfilling a dream can help a child or young person to think beyond their illness or disability and focus on something highly positive and empowering. The experience can create amazing memories for entire families.
The South African holiday was everything the family could have wished for and more. It was a wonderful distraction from hospital appointments and to have a change of scene was the perfect medicine for all of the family.
We rely entirely on supporters like you to allow us to keep making dreams come true. More than 50,000 children and young people access palliative care services in the UK each year and it is our aim to fulfil the dreams of as many of these children as possible.
Visit www.dreamscometrue.uk.com for more on fundraising. Get in touch on 01428 726330 or email us on info@dreamscometrue.uk.com
Top
Fundraising tips
• Keep it simple – The more straightforward your idea is, the easier it is for you to plan. • Plan – Write down a plan of your event, rope in friends and family to give any support with setting up etc. • Make it fun – Can you base your fundraising around a hobby? If the activity you pick is something you enjoy it will be far easier to stay motivated and achieve. (i.e cycling, crafting or baking). • Set up an online fundraising page – Virgin Money Giving or Just Giving.
• Use our resources – Planning a Dream Tea? Use our resources, sponsorship forms and logos which can be supplied on request. • Go social – A brilliant way to share your event and gain sponsorship/donations. • Share your stories – Tell your friends, write to your local press and share your updates with us. • Pictures say a thousand words – the more photos and video you can get pre, during and post event the better! • Keep in touch! – Let us know what you plan to do and we can give you any support you need.
From jumping out of planes, to canyoning, waxing or cutting off all your hair. Keep in touch about all your unusual fundraising ideas!
Out
of the
box
fundraising Lois shaved her head to raise money for us after we fulfilled a dream for her little girl Beth.
TopTip: Let your friends and family know why you are fundraising and what their donation will go towards Create a product and sell it for Dreams Come True - just like Dylan’s ice cream did!
Visit www.dreamscometrue.uk.com for more on fundraising. Get in touch on 01428 726330 or email us on info@dreamscometrue.uk.com
What is your Put on your running shoes, take to two wheels, trek to the highest heights or try a new challenge. We have a range of guaranteed places in running and cycling events and can help support a variety of other challenges.
RUN
Short runs • 5k / 10k run • Great North Run • Great South Run • London 10k • Silverstone half marathon • Surrey half marathon • Edinburgh Running Festival
BIKE
• Ride London • Round the Island • London to Brighton • London to Paris • Nightrider London • Velothon Wales • Southdowns Way • Dorset Gravel Dash
www.dreamscometrue.uk.com Visit www.dreamscometrue.uk.com/events
sporting dream? Take a look at some of our events or get in touch with your ideas! Something a little different Bored of just running? Throw in an obstacle or two! • Spartan Race • Tough Mudder • Zombie Run • Colour Run • Bear Grylls
WALK/TREK
UK Marathons • London • Brighton • Edinburgh International Runs • Boston Marathon • New York Marathon • Paris Marathon • Run Disneyland • Tokyo Marathon • Run Disney World
SPLASH • Swim • Row • Paddle • Sail
• South Downs way • London to Cambridge • Thames Path Challenge • Jurassic Coast Trek • Cotswolds Way • Grand Union Challenge • Great Wall of China • Machu Picchu • Kilimanjaro • Atlas High Mountains • Everest Base Camp • Arctic 4 day trek
Sing,
Dance, Bake,
Craft... Creative fundraising ideas
Whether your goal is £100 or £100,000 the money raised plays a significant part in making Dreams Come True.
If you’re a muscian or comedian, why not host a charity gig or create an EP and donate part of the profits.
Get your dancing shoes on! Host a ball or party for your friends and family.
Knitting superstar, artist or handy with a needle and thread? Why not sell your craft?
Get cooking or baking. Why not hold your own ‘bake/cook off’ between you and a couple of friends, charge others for the satisfaction of tasting!
Swap, upcycle or showcase old clothes in a fashion show.
Visit www.dreamscometrue.uk.com/events
Fundraising Ideas for Schools Children love fundraising to support other children. A dream is something that they can easily relate to and is an accessible way to engage children with ideas of disability and serious illness. • Colour Theme Day - Pupils and staff get to dress in their favourite colour, or why not pick orange and purple? • Car Wash – Invite parents and school friends to have their cars washed by the students for a fee. • Super Hero Day – Dress as your favourite super hero for the day! • School Fete – Make Dreams Come True part of your school fete.
• Inter house apprentice – Thinking caps on and in teams work on the best fundraising ideas. • Dream Tea ‘bake off’ and cake sale – teaches and pupils get to bake their best cake for the ‘bake off’ finals. • PTA joint fundraising – Join forces with your school fundraising activities. • Fashion show – Put those creative skills to the test and charge an entry fee. • Staff V Pupil rounders or any other sport! • Sports day / Dream mile – Add fundraising into your annual sports day by having a sponsored race.
Community and Club Fundraising • Host a street party • Charity sports match – teams pay a ‘sub’ to enter. You could also hold a raffle • Community fun day – Get local businesses involved, put on some entertainment and charge an entry fee • Dream Tea - host a tea party of any shape or size • Pub Quiz • Dance-a-thon • Talent competition • Battle of the bands - Challenge budding musicians to a battle of the bands or put on a gig • Pet show • Treasure hunt • Night Walk • Arts and Crafts fair - Put your creative skills into action and sell your works of art at a fair
• Old school sports day – get your local sports clubs involved. Egg and spoon races, wheel barrow races and many more... • Ladies day at your local sports club • Host a charity ball and auction • Knit-a-thon - who can knit the longest scarf or the most bobble hats? • ‘Fun’ run around your local sports field. Raise money on entry fees and ask people to get sponsorship • Hold a village ‘bake off’. Charge an entry fee for bakers – sell all cakes afterwards to raise extra money • Bring and Buy sale
Top Tip: Ask friends and family to donate free stuff to your event .
For more information give us a call on 01428 726330 or email info@dreamscometrue.uk.com
Top Tip: Think about who you know in the local community who may want to donate a prize to a raffle or offer up services for free.
Fundraising at
Work
Supporting us through your workplace can make a huge difference to our ability to fulfil the power of dreams but can also have real benefits for your company as well.
Charity of the year – Nominate us as your company’s charity of the year and we can help you develop a programme of events. Brand Partnerships – Strengthen your brand by aligning it with Dreams Come True. Both parties will benefit.
Match funding – ask your employer to match what you raise. Give it up!- Get sponsored to go without something. For example chocolate, digital, coffee, wine...
• Golf tournament • Foreign currency collection • Hula hooping competition • Swear box • Wine tasting • Paintballing • Murder mystery evening • Charity ball and auction • Obstacle course • Office Olympics • Sponsored lunch run • Business breakfast • Charity lottery
To talk to us about working together, please call us on 01428 726330 or email corporate@dreamscometrue.uk.com
Bad tie/tights day - Pay to wear your most outrageous tie or tights. Your friends could pay to have the offending tie or tights removed.
Payroll giving – An easy way of donating to us without paying any tax. Donate your time and expertise – We are a small charity and your specialist skills could help us grow.
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Dream
Tea
Dream Tea is our annual fundraising campaign, where we ask people across the UK to gather friends, family, colleagues or classmates, to enjoy a good cuppa, a chat and of course... cake!
Make a Cuppa... Make a Difference... Ideas to get you started • Traditional afternoon tea • Mad hatters tea party • Fancy dress party • Cookie monster party • Swap tea & cake for meat and Pimms! • Host a dream night in • Challenge your baking buddies to a bake off
Volunteer with Us By volunteering your time in your local community you will make a great difference but also meet new people and learn new skills. Can you help? • Organise a fundraising event in your local community and workplace • Join the cheer squad and cheer on runners, cyclists at organised events such as marathons • Encourage your local clubs, sports clubs or employers to support Dreams Come True • Represent the charity in your local area • One off volunteering roles
Meet Madeleine...
Our youngest Dream Champion! 10-year-old Madeleine was so inspired watching her aunty run the London Marathon she has since roped the whole family into a series of fundraising activities for Dreams Come True. As well as holding a Dream Tea, Madeleine will be running a 5K. Mum and Dad will also be getting their trainers on and even her younger brother and sister will be taking part in a 1K run.
Top Tip: Call or email us with your fundraising ideas and our team can help you put your plan into action!
To get started you can download our fundraising kit from Dreamscometrue.uk.com/dreamtea For more information give us a call on 01428 726330 / email info@dreamscometrue.uk.com 12 www.dreamscometrue.uk.com
For more information and to see how you can get involved in your area, call us on 01428 726331 or email volunteer@dreamscometrue.uk.com
Events Calendar
Bespoke challenges for private groups, including:
January
Walt Disney World Run Series Star Wars Half Marathon - US
February
Tokyo Marathon Disney Princess Half Marathon - US
March
Silverstone Marathon
•
Great Wall of China
April
Brighton Marathon London Marathon Boston Marathon
•
Kilimanjaro
•
Machu Pichu
•
Arctic 4-day trek
•
Moroccan High Atlas
•
Three Peaks 24hr Challenge
•
London to Paris Bike Ride
•
Skydives at your local airfield
•
Trek to Everest Base Camp
•
Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge
May
June
BUPA London 10k Edinburgh Marathon Spartan Race - South Tinkerbell Half Marathon - US Dream Tea Velothon Wales Surrey Sportive Spartan Race - South Wales
July
Spartan Race - Manchester / Scotland
August
Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 Surrey Sportive London Triathlon
September
Morrisons Great North Run Berlin Marathon Spartan Race - Cambridge / London Disneyland Half Marathon - US Disneyland Paris Half Marathon First Event 2016
October
Bournemouth Marathon Chicago Marathon Morrisons Great South Run Zombie Run, London
November
New York Marathon Avengers Super Hero Half Marathon - US Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon - US
December
Have a well-earned rest and eat some Christmas pud!
* Dates subject to change. Please check the website for more details.
For more information about events, please call our events team on 01428 726330 or email events@dreamscometrue.uk.com
Getting
Publicity
Contact your local press
How to write a press release
• Call the papers news desk • Introduce yourself and let them know about your event. Get their contact details to send them a pre-event release and a photo. Follow up with a phonecall. • Give journalists plenty of notice about your event. • Invite them to attend your event • Send them a post event press release and photos.
A press release is a brief summary alerting the media to your activity. It is an opportunity to tell the community what a great challenge you are taking on, have a look at our top tips:
Top Tip: Get your friends and families involved, email them and ask them to put up posters in their windows and local shops and community centres.
• Include the 5 ‘W’s’: who, what, where, why and when. • Keep it short and punchy – no more than one side of A4. • Attract attention with the headline. • Include key contact details. • Include a description of the event and explain why you want to raise money. • Make it clear if you want the general public to attend. • Include a photo – you are more likely to get media coverage if your event has a strong action shot.
Keep in touch! Facebook: Dreamer654 Twitter: @dreamer654
The Essentials
Keep it legal
We are so grateful for your fundraising efforts and wish you the best of luck. Your safety and that of your supporters is very important to us so please take time to consider the safety precautions below. • It is important that you state exactly how much of the proceeds will come to us. If only the profits will come to the charity, then you must say so. Use ‘in aid of’ or ‘in support of’. • If your collecting in your local high street or giving our flyers about your event get in touch with your local council and check with them that it is okay. • An Alcohol License, Food Safety Certificate or Public Liability insurance may be needed for some events, if in doubt ask your local council. • Ensure all your money is always counted by two people and stored securely.
Ways to donate
• Regular or one-off donations – go online to donate • Celebrate and give – share your special day and collect donations instead of gifts. Give us a call and we will send you everything you need. • Do you shop online? – Raise money by doing your regular shop online through the Give As You Live website. Giveasyoulive.com/ join/Dreamscometrue • Legacies and in memory – choose to leave a donation in your will to create a true legacy or collect donations in memory of a loved one. • Play & raise - play our charity lottery with the chance to win £25,000 a week whilst raising money.
Branding
If you require any logos for posters, T-shirts for volunteers or any other marketing material please get in touch.
Use social media
• Create a fundraising page online • Create a Facebook event and invite friends and family • Share your comments, links, photos and videos • Write updates about your fundraising progress with reminders to donate • Set up a blog to chart your progress • ‘Like’ our Facebook page to link up with our network of supporters • Send a message to @Dreamer654 on Twitter and we’ll retweet it
Pinterest: pinterest.com DCTCharity/
16 www.dreamscometrue.uk.com
For more information give us a call on 01428 726330 or email info@dreamscometrue.uk.com
www.dreamscometrue.uk.com
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