Is this really crappy? Go fund me question

[thisisme2468]

I compete in a Paralympic sport. Recently started at para level but I’ve done the sport for 25+ years.

I’ve qualified for a national championship early next year.

As I’m just starting out I have no sponsors (how do you even get them!!) and being disabled with a full time carer spouse not a lot of money.

I was thinking about doing a go fund me page to get me to these championships as it’s going to cost around £2k but I don’t know if it’s too grabby. I’m really scared to put myself out there and wish I could fund it myself!

So AIBU / a CF to try and fundraise this?

It's not something I would personally contribute to, but I wouldn't think it's grabby or cheeky

I don't think this is grabby at all, and is exactly the sort of thing that GoFundMe wasdesigned for.
Good luck!

This is one of very very few go fund me that sounds like it would be okay to ask actually

Nope! Go for it, not everyone will donate but there's people that will!
Good Luck!

I'd happily donate to a friend in your position, and I wouldn't usually give to most Go fund me things I've seen.

Do it, you have nothing to lose. Good luck!

Anyone who in my sons sports who does go fund me pages to get them to championships get slated. I don’t know why as people have a choice to give or not, if people
Don’t like it just move on. However, I don’t think you will get many people donating if you just put up a go fund me page. If you are savvy, you would be on
Social media (instag) highlighting your sport/ achievements etc or at least a local newspaper article.

You ask about getting sponsors- it’s not what you know it’s who you know.

Ive seen people (in america) set up a go fund me page for $10k to get them to the olympics. YANBU.

I'd contribute, and I don't think it's cheeky, but soliciting local businesses might be more fruitful than asking friends. Can't this sort of thing be a tax write off for a company? Maybe get your local news to do a piece on you?

Go for it...id contribute

I dont think it's grabby - people can choose to donate or not.

However, as a business owner, I'd probably be happy to sponsor a local sportsperson in this position so it could be well worth writing to a few

This is one of very very few go fund me that sounds like it would be okay to ask actually

This.
I'd rather sponsor this than yet another 'working holiday'...

Could you also set up a facebook / insta page so people can see how you’re progressing, and how you’re spending the money ie ‘long drive to x for trials and overnight hotel’ , ‘Physio today after training’ - Lots of photos to make people feel involved ?

It’s definitely done by others in your position. Take a look at Martin Perry - British Para Table Tennis hopeful for Tokyo 2020. He currently has a fundraising page to help him get there. From looking at his website, the key seems to be getting across your story, which helps bring in the donations, though he does have sponsors too.

Definitely go for it, not cheeky at all. I would also highly recommend taking the time to send a letter to all local businesses offering the opportunity of sponsorship/asking for their support. Make sure they’re signed off by hand and in a hand written envelope, with an accompanying document that includes a picture/news feature/online article about you and your sport. I think you’ll be surprised at the response you might get.
Wishing you the best of luck and every success, what a fantastic achievement for you.

Do it immediately if not sooner and post the link!!! Best of luck!

Also look in your area for benefit funds. A lot of companies need to have some sort of community benefit in place that you can apply to and they can do things such as matching fundraising. We get a lot for girl guides (including individuals going on international trips) from windfarms.

Blimey, £2000 for a National Championship is a lot - are you having to cross water? We cart a pony around the country to competitions for a fraction of that, what on earth are you doing?

Do it!

Then see if you can contact the head of the organization and get some tips on how to secure sponsors.

This is the type of thing I would happily donate to.

beingchampion maybe equipment or extra accommodation/transport requirements for a para athlete

How about getting in touch with local newspaper or radio. Tell them a bit about your story, for local interest, and ask them to add that you’re looking for sponsorship.

I have a Facebook page, instagram and twitter and have been documenting my story since I started. I’m worried about getting slated though @Widowodiw

@beingchampion I’m a para dressage rider. But I have no transport of my own - so £800-£1,000 to be transported the 250 miles there on day 1 and back on day 4 (can’t drive myself due to disability so have to pay a driver). Plus £120 entry fees (2 x champ classes and 2 x warm up classes). It’s a 4 day comp so £77 stabling fee. And due to my disability I can’t look after the horse so then there is groom fee and I have coach warm up before classes so coaches fee. Hoping to combine groom and coach but reckon that will be around £500-£600. Then there is human accommodation £300 for the 4 nights.

I’m hoping to try a few companies for sponsorship (and they do get tax relief for that too!) but all I keep getting told by other riders/contacts is you won’t get monetary sponsorship they just want to do product sponsorship.

Thank you for all your tips & suggestions! I’m going to do letters and contact local paper tomorrow too x

Making the wild assumption of Hartpury in April? Is there a chance of getting your spouse up to speed? A trailer driving course and plaiting skills can be taught in time. I'm assuming they must already do basic horse care if you can't? If not, again time is on your side.

Can you get a lift with another competitor? I'm assuming you're quite Northern - could a local friend get you to the M6/A1? Ask around, I'm sure you'll find a friend to groom for you for cost rather than wages.

Is this likely to be a one-off (bit harsh, but honestly)? If it's a once in a lifetime thing I'm sure that you'll find people will readily help and get you there. If you're going to be going every six months it's more tricky - when does lottery funding kick in?

Try Sport England. They have lottery funding available for some things.