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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To fundraise for a half marathon?

238 replies

tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:12

I’ve entered a half marathon next spring (I do appreciate it’s a long way off but it’s a very popular one and I wanted to secure my place!), and in order to take part I need to raise £375 for a charity.

I want to do things like bake sales, etc., to bring in some money as I think it’ll be tough to hit that amount without doing it. But one of my colleagues has mentioned in passing that it’s not in good taste to do something like this at the moment as times are tough.

I can’t lie, I do expect the majority of it to come from my family - my parents have promised £150 already and my SIL has promised some money too. AIBU to try and fundraise, or should I just stick the link on my Facebook page and hope for the best?

OP posts:
Greenwitchart · 29/04/2026 09:08

Well done for training and signing up for this.

With all fundraising people have the choice to contribute or not.

In my last job quite a few people shared their fundraising challenges through email.with a link to their donation page and some people donated. The fact that those are shared by email means there is no pressure to contribute.

Original poster
tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 09:08

howshouldibehave · 29/04/2026 09:03

I kind of agree with this-it feels like getting people to pay for you to do something prestigious connected with your hobby.

Can’t you pay the entrance fee yourself and then you and your family can donate to the charity that means something to you all?

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£375 would be a huge stretch for me

OP posts:
dontmalbeconme · 29/04/2026 09:06

tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 09:01

Because cancer research means a hell of a lot to me, I donate to them regularly but just thought this was a good way to push myself to do something I really could not do right now

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You can donate to Cancer Research or fundraise for Cancer Research without running a half marathon?

This isn't about raising money for charity, it's about you wanting to do an activity and expecting others to pick up the tab for that by way of a charity donation.

howshouldibehave · 29/04/2026 09:03

dontmalbeconme · 29/04/2026 08:59

I'll be honest, I don't donate to things like this, as I do see it as paying for someone to do an activity they want to do, and I really think it's on them to cover the full 'donation' for their experience. I do donate directly to charity though.

Why the need for the 'charity place'? Why not pay your own fees for the activity you want to do, and just make your own donation to whatever charity you want to support?

I kind of agree with this-it feels like getting people to pay for you to do something prestigious connected with your hobby.

Can’t you pay the entrance fee yourself and then you and your family can donate to the charity that means something to you all?

Fluffordirt · 29/04/2026 09:02

dontmalbeconme · 29/04/2026 08:59

I'll be honest, I don't donate to things like this, as I do see it as paying for someone to do an activity they want to do, and I really think it's on them to cover the full 'donation' for their experience. I do donate directly to charity though.

Why the need for the 'charity place'? Why not pay your own fees for the activity you want to do, and just make your own donation to whatever charity you want to support?

Charity places are often the only way to get into races. Why should she have to self fund? Why should only people who are wealthy get to do half marathons?

I am happy donate if it feels that the event is challenging enough for the participant. If Mo Farah sent around a half marathon sponsorship I’d tell him to get lost but it sounds like it’s a challenge to OP so I’d have no issue in sponsoring her.

Original poster
tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 09:01

dontmalbeconme · 29/04/2026 08:59

I'll be honest, I don't donate to things like this, as I do see it as paying for someone to do an activity they want to do, and I really think it's on them to cover the full 'donation' for their experience. I do donate directly to charity though.

Why the need for the 'charity place'? Why not pay your own fees for the activity you want to do, and just make your own donation to whatever charity you want to support?

Because cancer research means a hell of a lot to me, I donate to them regularly but just thought this was a good way to push myself to do something I really could not do right now

OP posts:
Whinge · 29/04/2026 09:01

tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:55

I’d do it at work. Not bothered about profit, I love baking and would just buy the ingredients out of my own pocket. I wouldn’t recover anything back!

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I don't think you should be asking work colleagues to buy your cakes. I assumed you were doing a gneral bake sale, with random members of the public. It's a lot harder to say no, when these things are pushed on you in the workplace.

I wish you luck in fundraising though, and I hope you enjoy your half marathon experience.

Cakeandslippers · 29/04/2026 09:00

Well done on doing something hard! I would do whatever you want re sponsorship. I get asked to sponsor people for things all the time, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I see absolutely no harm in putting it out there - you're not forcing anyone. It's much easier these days as you can just send a link. I think it was more awkward in the old days when you had to get people to sign a form in person - harder to say no to. Bake sale is also a lovely idea - I love stuff like that! Good luck!

dontmalbeconme · 29/04/2026 08:59

I'll be honest, I don't donate to things like this, as I do see it as paying for someone to do an activity they want to do, and I really think it's on them to cover the full 'donation' for their experience. I do donate directly to charity though.

Why the need for the 'charity place'? Why not pay your own fees for the activity you want to do, and just make your own donation to whatever charity you want to support?

Silverbirchleaf · 29/04/2026 08:58

tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:55

I’d do it at work. Not bothered about profit, I love baking and would just buy the ingredients out of my own pocket. I wouldn’t recover anything back!

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The other thing is not to do it too regularly. Maybe once a month at most. The last Friday of the month, for example. ‘Cake Friday’ .

disappearingme · 29/04/2026 08:56

Yanbu at all. I was meant to run the London Marathon this year for charity but couldn't for various reasons. I am carrying over my place to next year. I started fundraising and to my surprise raised over £500 just in donations from friends and family. I also got rid of a load of stuff at a car boot and put half towards the fundraiser. As long as you aren't pestering people to donate it is fine!

Original poster
tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:55

Silverbirchleaf · 29/04/2026 08:52

Well done in signing up and entering the race.

Ignore your colleague. The London Marathon. Is the biggest fund raising event in the UK, I believe, so people are still donating.

I guess the only advice is not to force people into donating. Make your cakes, but don’t make people obliged to buy them (some people avoid homemade stuff). Where do you plan to sell them? Also, will there be much profit after buying all the ingredients etc?

Maybe do a quiz night instead? More effort, but more profit?

I’d do it at work. Not bothered about profit, I love baking and would just buy the ingredients out of my own pocket. I wouldn’t recover anything back!

OP posts:
Silverbirchleaf · 29/04/2026 08:52

Well done in signing up and entering the race.

Ignore your colleague. The London Marathon. Is the biggest fund raising event in the UK, I believe, so people are still donating.

I guess the only advice is not to force people into donating. Make your cakes, but don’t make people obliged to buy them (some people avoid homemade stuff). Where do you plan to sell them? Also, will there be much profit after buying all the ingredients etc?

Maybe do a quiz night instead? More effort, but more profit?

Oricolt · 29/04/2026 08:49

Absolutely fine to offer baking or a service to raise money. People will either buy it or not. Fair enough. It's not like you're just asking them to put their hand in their pocket.

Original poster
tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:49

TheBlueKoala · 29/04/2026 08:46

Personally I would pay for it myself- eventually ask family for contributions if well off.

Having said that- organising a bake sale or sell stuff in order to finance that is perfectly fine too. Asking for cash for nothing is cheeky fuckery.

It’s not “for nothing”, it’s basically a year of my life preparing for it, for a charity who mean a lot to our family

OP posts:
TheBlueKoala · 29/04/2026 08:46

Personally I would pay for it myself- eventually ask family for contributions if well off.

Having said that- organising a bake sale or sell stuff in order to finance that is perfectly fine too. Asking for cash for nothing is cheeky fuckery.

Original poster
tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:45

MayDaySunshinePlease · 29/04/2026 08:45

even more reason to ignore your colleague. It's not like you're just getting money to do something you do once a month anyway. I'd donate something anyway if I wanted to support the charity & I'd donate more for you putting in real effort to do something.

Best wishes!!

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Haha yeah this definitely isn’t something I’ve ever done before. The longest I’ve gone without stopping is 4km 😂 but I’m really committing to training for it

OP posts:
MayDaySunshinePlease · 29/04/2026 08:45

tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:26

I’m going to have to really, really work for it. The longest I can do without stopping at the moment is 4 to 5km 😂

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even more reason to ignore your colleague. It's not like you're just getting money to do something you do once a month anyway. I'd donate something anyway if I wanted to support the charity & I'd donate more for you putting in real effort to do something.

Best wishes!!

Obeseandashamed · 29/04/2026 08:36

I don’t think you’re aiming to fundraiser a crazy amount. A half marathon is a huge achievement . Good luck with your fundraising!

Clearinguptheclutter · 29/04/2026 08:36

Ps it sounds like a great physical challenge.

I raised about £500 for my first half marathon attempt, I’ve since done quite a few and not fundraised since as I sort of enjoy it!

Original poster
tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:36

ZenNudist · 29/04/2026 08:34

Bake sales are a brilliant idea. Everyone wins. You could also do a just giving page. Really lovely to do this.

They make a page for you so I’ll be sharing it across my social media closer to the time, but a bake sale does feel fun!

OP posts:
ZenNudist · 29/04/2026 08:34

Bake sales are a brilliant idea. Everyone wins. You could also do a just giving page. Really lovely to do this.

Original poster
tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:33

Shedmistress · 29/04/2026 08:32

and in order to take part I need to raise £375 for a charity.

If you paid the entry fee then why the need to raise £375?

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Because it’s a charity place?

OP posts:
Original poster
tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:33

PollyBell · 29/04/2026 08:30

As long as people are aware for that it is for i have no idea why you would be unreasonable about doing it

Isn't fund-raising the point?

Apparently people sign up to run then just for fun

OP posts:
Shedmistress · 29/04/2026 08:32

tilyougetenough · 29/04/2026 08:26

I’ve paid the entry fee.

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and in order to take part I need to raise £375 for a charity.

If you paid the entry fee then why the need to raise £375?

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