race for the
Kids Our small book of
Why we need your help The demand for Great Ormond Street Hospital’s services has never been greater. But this demand is increasing faster than the ability to treat the children who need our help. To solve this problem, Great Ormond Street Hospital is undergoing a major redevelopment. By rebuilding and refurbishing the hospital, we’ll be able to care for more sick children and transform more lives. Your support will help make these changes happen. You’ll find lots of handy fundraising ideas in this book. We’ve grouped them into three different sections – work, school and fun loving – to make it easy for you to find the right idea for you.
The power of your pounds As part of the redevelopment, the money you raise will also be used to fund new, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for patients and their families.
£20
could buy four special neonatal masks, small and delicate enough to fit a newborn baby’s face.
£44
could give one of our families a good night’s sleep in the hospital’s parent and family accommodation, and let a poorly child stay close to mum or dad.
£110
£500
could cover the costs of one of our Play team for a day. The work of the Play team is essential in order to ensure that the children’s experience of the hospital is as stress-free as possible. is enough to cover the costs of one MRI scan – a vital test that helps our doctors pinpoint the cause of a child’s pain.
Meet Harry
Three-year-old Harry developed a blood clot in his leg shortly after birth and was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) for treatment. He was eventually diagnosed with a genetic condition which means he has thicker blood and is at a higher risk of clotting. After being discharged back to his local hospital, Harry remained on medication for a further three weeks and was closely monitored before being signed off by a consultant a year later. He has since made a full recovery and now he loves his sport. His family decided to take part in RBC Race for the Kids to give something back to the hospital. Harry’s dad, Alex, said: “We try and do our bit to support the charity but we will never be able to repay the care the hospital gave Harry. The support they gave us was priceless. We are casting our net as far and wide as possible with fundraising…and hope to smash our fundraising target!”
Work Sweepstake
Intrigue, mystery, curiosity – turn your work day into a thriller with a sweepstake. Who will win the FA Cup? What will your colleague name their new baby? Who will raise the most money for the RBC Race for the Kids?
Quiz night
Brush up on your general knowledge and get quizzical!
Raffle
Are you feeling lucky? Take a chance with a company raffle.
Office Olympics
Follow in the footsteps of our sporting heroes and go for gold in an office sports day.
Meal deal
Treat your colleagues by making them lunch and delivering it to their desks in return for donations.
Challenge the boss
Turn the tables and sponsor your boss to take on a challenge. Take a staff vote on a silly outfit or a job for the day!
Non-uniform day
Swap those school clothes for something stylish or silly!
Talent show or battle of the bands
Sell tickets to the biggest event in the school calendar as you reveal your hidden talents to the world!
Cake sale
Teacher challenge
The classics never go out of style, so keep it simple with a cake sale.
Stage a play or organise a charity concert
It’s time to put on a show! Hold an evening of high culture and class.
Hold an auction of promises
From car-washing to cooking, auction your time, skills or services as prizes.
Remember that homework you didn’t enjoy? Now it’s your turn to set the challenge for your teacher!
A night in
Staying in is the new going out! Celebrate your evening with a dinner, film night or pamper party.
BBQ or picnic
Cook up a fundraising feast with friends ahead of fun-filled family day.
Karaoke
Warm up your vocal cords and practice those scales for a sing-off like no other!
Race in fancy dress
Add a touch of silliness as you race to the finish line to raise as much money as you can!
Head shave
Are you brave enough to shave off those luscious locks?
Leg wax
Oooh! Ouch! Yowzer! Remember, it’s worth it in the end (and even funnier when guys take part!).
Sponsored silence
An easy favourite that anyone can take part in. Just remember to shout about your challenge before you do!
Go cold turkey
Try giving up something you love until after you’ve run the race.
Retro party
Get nostalgic and dress in a throwback to your younger years.
Boost your fundraising Ideas to make your money go further Gift Aid
Add an amazing 25 per cent to your donation in one easy step! gosh.org/giftaid
Matched giving
Don’t forget to check whether your company runs a matched giving scheme – it could be a chance to double your money! If they don’t do this they may still be keen to help out, whether it’s through sponsorship, donating prizes or helping to get employees on board with your fundraising.
Social media
#RacefortheKids Spread the word about your fundraising to your friends and beyond. Whether it’s sharing a YouTube clip of your head shave, flaunting your fancy dress on Facebook or tweeting thanks to everyone who baked for your cake sale, social media is the best way to keep everyone in the loop.
Follow us! facebook.com/raceforthekids @GreatOrmondSt youtube.com/GOSHCharity
Meet our stars We wouldn’t be able to bring you our Small book of big fundraising ideas without the help of our incredible patients and siblings who took part in our photoshoot. So to Jamie, Louis, Alex, Shiloh, Rosie and Drew, we want to say a massive thank you for making our book extra special.
Sponsored by Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Registered charity no. 1160024.