To ask for where I can find sponsors?

[TheLolaMontez]

Hi all,

I am running the London marathon in October this year and I am raising funds for a charity which helped my husband and I when our first son was stillborn at full term in 2017. They do incredible work for parents who are in their darkest of days and I would really like to give back to them as a thank you.

I have set up a justgiving page and I've asked and posted on social media's and so far i have raised a really fantastic amount, more than I expected, but now the donations have stopped coming in and I wonder if there are any other avenues I could explore. I'm astounded that so much has been kindly donated but of course I would like to raise as much as possible. I am setting money aside too so I can add this to the pot.

My question is does anyone have any good ideas where I might find more sponsors? Thank you

I’m so sorry for your loss, and so impressed that you’re doing something so positive to help others.

Has the charity published your fundraising page? If not they could put it on their social media.

Do you have a work newsletter or anything like that?

Local radio? Might be worth approaching them to see if they would do a segment on it (if you would be comfortable with that).

Best of luck with your efforts, and congratulations on all you have done so far.

Local paper as well!

When I was in this boat, I found you had to do things and organise events in order to raise the funds. The fact you’re running the marathon will only bring in money from your nearest and dearest, and only so much, as you’re finding. I organised a table top sale, a raffle, a book sale and a MUFTI day at my child’s school to help with fundraising. Good luck!

Thank you so much for your suggestions I did think about some sort of cake sale or table top thing. I'm quite good at various crafts, so perhaps I could make little items and try to sell those. Thinking cap is on

Local newspaper website?

The charity you are running for will probably have a fundraising pack with ideas

You may get more response nearer the time. It's still five months away.
Do you post updates on training, smaller events etc you are doing I the run up? (I'm not sure if smaller races have restarted yet).

Sorry for your loss

I think it’s natural for people to donate when you first mention you’re doing an event, and there’ll be a gap until nearer the event.

I agree with the above by saying promote your fundraising nearer the time, maybe a month or so before hand.

If you go onto the pages of The One Show etc, and the newspaper/radio pages, they usually have a ‘Tell Us Your Story’ link. They may feature your stillbirth experience though, with the London Marathon as a side note.

If you're raising the kind of money the charities ask for London marathon then usually sponsorship alone won't be enough. Raffles, bake sales, boot sales etc will be needed. You could do a 'guess my finishing time' and sell 50/100 'times' for £1 each

Events - we did quizzes, wine tasting and auction, afternoon tea. I know that’s trickier this year though! If you are doing one though, write to your local supermarkets etc - Tesco are amazing at providing stuff to help!

When I've rattled the donation tin I've always raised more money after the event. Lots of people like to see you complete it first. Make sure you remind people to give gift aid, you'll get an extra 20% and it will not cost them anything.

People dont like donating for someone to do their hobby unless they have a connection with the charity.

We just pay the charity donation ourselves and sell stuff at a car boot sale etc to help raise some of the money. We never ask friends or family. My DHs work used to match donate which was nice.

With respect @lostlife this is not a hobby - I was not a runner prior to this! I've never run a marathon before or even contemplated it. My husband and I just applied on a bit of a whim and I was drawn from the ballot and he wasn't.

For the person who mentioned about meeting the minimum for the charity - there isn't a minimum for me as I have a ballot place but I decided to see if I could fundraise anyway

Thanks again for all suggestions! I'll have a nosey at the local paper etc, like you all say perhaps a bit nearer the time will encourage more donations

It does rankle a bit when people apply for London marathon on a 'bit of a whim' I like many others have been trying to get a place for years and years - every time that rejection email comes I'm absolutely gutted.

Every year I see people saying they applied for a laugh, forgot they'd applied, not sure if they want to do it etc etc.

I know it's a lottery and they got their place fair and square but when you've been trying to get a place for over a decade it just does rankle a bit.

If you or dh have a corporate type job you could try either asking your employer or other business contacts. I found they were usually happy to help, particularly if you could find a way for them to get a mention.

Best of luck with it op.

I ran 10k for NCB, raised hundreds of pounds and they didn't even send a thank you email or acknowledgement.

I know you're not supposed to do it for a thank you, but I doubt I would choose them again.

@Cadent

I ran 10k for NCB, raised hundreds of pounds and they didn't even send a thank you email or acknowledgement.

I know you're not supposed to do it for a thank you, but I doubt I would choose them again.

I had the same for a charity I raised over 4k for. I worked so hard to get that amount too. I'm glad they go it so much money but an email to would have been nice

I had the same for a charity I raised over 4k for. I worked so hard to get that amount too. I'm glad they go it so much money but an email to would have been nice

Incredible, isn't it? You think they'd want to gain goodwill.

@Cadent

I ran 10k for NCB, raised hundreds of pounds and they didn't even send a thank you email or acknowledgement.

I know you're not supposed to do it for a thank you, but I doubt I would choose them again.

That is awful. I work for a charity and we ensure everyone who raises money is thanked - we send letters and if they're happy to be featured on our social media we'll put all the details on there (whether they've raised £5 or £5000).

With covid we haven't been able to do in person cheque handovers with our supporters and we've really missed that.

@Dogscanteatonions

It does rankle a bit when people apply for London marathon on a 'bit of a whim' I like many others have been trying to get a place for years and years - every time that rejection email comes I'm absolutely gutted.

Every year I see people saying they applied for a laugh, forgot they'd applied, not sure if they want to do it etc etc.

I know it's a lottery and they got their place fair and square but when you've been trying to get a place for over a decade it just does rankle a bit.

I'm sorry you've not been able to get in but like you say, it is just luck of the draw.

I never would have not done it if I had got picked - the intention was always there, I just didn't really give it much thought or expect that I would be chosen but that's the gamble I suppose. My husband has been rejected twice so far.

I agree with others OP - we find fundraisers for us get a great response when they announce what they're doing then it can tail off a bit. They usually get another boost of donations close to the event so be sure to get the word out again closer to the marathon.

If you haven't already definitely get in touch with the charity and ask them to help promote. We do lots of social media posts about what fundraisers are doing and they often tell us they get donations from total strangers off the back of our posts.