Our top ten sponsorship tips!
1 Set up an online fundraising page
You can set up your own fundraising page through Just Giving or Virgin Money Giving. People can sponsor you at the click of a mouse, and you don’t have to chase people for money after the event - it all comes straight to Henshaws.
But don’t forget... not everyone has internet access, so ask your local fundraising office for a good old fashioned sponsorship form just in case!
2 Start with someone generous
Think who might be your most generous sponsor and get them to sponsor you first. This will encourage other people to be just as generous.
3 Get work to help
Approach your employer to see if they will match any funds you raise. And if they can’t match fund, ask if you can get the office involved in your fundraising efforts.
4 Ask everyone!
If you don’t ask, you won’t get! Tell people why you’re doing it, and tell them all about Henshaws - they are bound to dig deep.
5 Send updates
Send a couple of updates to your friends, family and work colleagues on the status of your fundraising and training efforts. It’s a good way of reminding people of what you are doing and prompts people who have forgotten to sponsor you.
6 Organise an event
You don’t have to depend entirely upon sponsorship. Events can be a lot of fun and an effective way to raising money. See our section on how to organise an event.
7 Promote yourself
Don’t forget to tell people what you’re doing and give them your sponsorship web link every chance you get - your automatic signature on your emails is a good one. Don’t forget to ask your employer’s permission for anything work-related. How about creating a Facebook group or updating your Twitter page?
8 Wear Bright for Sight
Organise a Wear Bright for Sight Day at work or with family and friends – everyone pays a pound to wear their brightest, most outlandish clothes for a whole day.
9 Get in the press!
Contact your local press and tell them about your fundraising activities. They might feature you, especially if you are doing something unusual, or have a special reason for raising money for Henshaws.
10 Contact Henshaws
We’re always here to help. If you need support, want to talk through your fundraising plans or would like help with a press release please get in touch with your local office.