Action Duchenne representatives were very supportive from the start. Sam regularly touched base to offer help and support in the lead up to the event, and on the day Sam, Lynnette and Iain were amazing! We simply couldn’t have achieved the same result without them. We would highly recommend Action Duchenne to anyone considering a future fundraising event
Kerry and John Shippey, Parents.
Family fun days are not only a great fundraiser but also a fantastic way of involving the whole community, raising the profile of Duchenne and bringing together local Duchenne families.
To get you started, we have put together this checklist of hints and tips for organising a family fun day, some of which have come directly from our wonderful supporters;
- Research different venues you would like to potentially use. Contact the events co-ordinators and ask to visit if you have not been there before. Ask if they can offer a discounted room hire, some will offer a few hundred pounds discount and others may offer free hire. If you don’t ask you don’t get!! It is likely to be an outdoor event, try to find somewhere with toilets (schools, community centre, church, local pub with a big field) as portaloos are expensive.
- Formalise the venue booking and agree on a date.
- Start looking at ticket prices – things to consider: venue/food/table decorations/entertainment/publicity other costs you are going to incur as well as a donation per ticket for the charity.
- Look at the entertainment you want to book – either try negotiating on the price for a charity event or ask people you know – there is a lot of talent out there!
- Start up a spreadsheet for contacts, accounts and invoices, jobs to do.
- Start designing the posters/ publicity.
- Start the online campaign as soon as you can.
- Get social media to work for you. Set up a facebook event and add the people involved in the event – get them to share on their pages and with their social networks.
- Advertise for free online with ‘What’s on’ pages, Gumtree, with your local council, local radio stations.
- We can also promote your event across our Action Duchenne social media pages.
- Decide how your going to sell tickets – get some printed, print your own or sell tickets on the door.
- Get a letter of authorisation from Action Duchenne giving you permission to work on our behalf – it will help you get sponsorship from local companies if you can prove what you are doing.
- Start early trying to get raffle and auction prizes – letters and emails are good.
- Keep ticking away with the ticket sales – keep reminding people
- Chase up raffle and auction prizes and pick them up.
- Keep everyone updated – so you share the info and others can stand in and help if needed.
- Visualise how you want it to look – make up mood boards if you are creative – keep your passion in mind.
- Keep records of how much you have paid for things – it really does add up!
We are full of ideas to make your day go off with a bang, tombolas, raffles, table top sales, face painting, tug of war and lucky dips just to name a few, so please do get in touch with our friendly team on 07535 498 506, email us at info@actionduchenne.org or fill in our contact form.
