Why is fundraising so hard?

In short, it’s an exhausting, stressful and demanding process.

I assumed that coming up with the initial idea would be the easy part and then the hard work would begin. That’s not necessarily the case. Sometimes the idea comes easily but putting the personal spin on it is difficult then other times it’s the opposite entirely.

Let’s look at some examples of fundraising I’ve seen recently.

SKYDIVING. Whilst I accept that it is still an exhilarating experience for those involved, it’s been done. Sooooooooo many times.

MENS BODY WAXING. Given that there are probably nearly as many men as women waxing through choice this as a fundraising idea no longer seems to shock people into donating their hard earnt money (not even if the wax is in the most intimate of areas).

MARATHON RUNNING. Even this isn’t seen as a big enough commitment to the cause any more. It’s running 26 miles for goodness sake. That’s committed if you ask me.

So what can we do?

We decided that we needed to take an event that already had a reasonable uptake and SCALE IT UP.

HENCE MERRIOTT VILLAGE CHARITY SALE TRAIL.

With the help of the original organiser we have attempted to scale it up.

How much work was it? MUCH MORE THAN WE EXPECTED THAT’S FOR SURE.

The first planning meeting was pretty much the only relaxed part of the process as we sat and discussed our ideas over a pint.

THEN THE WORK BEGAN.

Creating leaflets and getting them to the printers.

Organising the bouncy castle (for adults and children)

Organising what items we were going to sell and who was responsible for monitoring it.

Buying catering equipment, food, drinks etc.

Chasing participation.

Appealing for raffle prizes.

Finding an ice cream van.

Trying to make alot of stuff fit into our garden.

Delivering the first batch of flyers, getting the most painful blisters safe in the knowledge you had to repeat the process the following week.

Creating the maps for the sale trail.

The list is endless.

SO WHY BOTHER?

To be part of a community, to support each other, to continue to work towards our goal, to achieve our dream. For people to know our daughters name and for her legacy to provide support to children who suffered the way our children did when their sister died.

WE WILL SUCCEED. NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES.

It’s like having a second full time but without the added bonus of wages. It’s relentless. No sooner have you finished one event and you are onto the next one. Sometimes we are planning one event not having completed the first.

We have a small team of volunteers who are an incredible help and support both emotionally and practically. To those people THANKYOU.

If you would like to be part of our select team please do get in touch.

If you have any fundraising ideas and you would like to help us bring them to life then let us know.

Thanks for reading. ♥