Ideas for fundraising??

[BeachBunni]

Ever since my ds was born and in NICU and SCBU for a month, my partner and I have really wanted to raise some money for the neonatal unit he was in.
When ds was in SCBU we used to have conversations with the other parents about how you never really realised that those sort of places existed and the important work that they did. My dp works for a company that fully supports fundraising activities but we are both sort of crap at ideas about what to do. So I thought I'd throw it out to the masses and hope that somebody would have some experience or ideas about fundraising. If anyone could help we would be really grateful. Thanks

Why think of your own ideas when you can borrow someone else's

Hope something here inspires you! And perhaps you could get lots of people at dp's company to do something, like a dress down day or a car wash session or something, and if they raise money the company might match it. Good luck with it.

Not really fundraising but we asked for donations to the unit that had looked after ds and I instead of presents for his first birthday. People were really generous and we managed to raise quite a lot that way.

Find someone who is running the London Marathon who got a place through the ballot and ask them to raise money on your behalf .

you could do a piece in your local paper asking for such people.

Lovely idea BeachBunni. Try & makeit something specific as it gives you a goal to aim for. Ask the sister/manager of the ward what they would like, not the hospital admin!! When my neice was in SCBU for ages my sis & BIL raised money for a nice posh sofa bed for the parents room to make it more cosy for late night vigils. They also had enough left over to donate a coffee machine & update the mugs/glasses extra bits in the room too. Very satisfying!

Best way to make LOADS is whatever event/do you organise get as much as you can for free.Then it is all profit. Blag things unashamedly, most companies do have a charity budget or can donate a ceratin amount of merchandise.

Feel free to CAT me if you want more ideas -I've been fundraising for year sit seems!! Went to a catholic school (always short of funds) then worked in the NHS (ditto) now on the PTA for my DD's school. Totally shameless scrounger me when it comes to getting money out of people!!!

I used to be social secretary for my RA and did many miles begging, you would be surprised how generous businesses are. I had donations of vouchers and branded products for prizes and a certain take-away donated literally hunderds of cups, serviettes, straws etc for our fundraising events and RA meetings (such a big help! It sounds daft, but it really was helpful).

We would hold an open day in the lounge, different things going on around the room (games and raffles) with bingo every so often, we would have someone knocking on the doors selling raffle tickets and would have food being served from the kitchen hatch.

I think the others have given some very helpful answers

We organised a charity cycle to raise money for the neonatal unit that looked after our girls. The event itself doesn't have to be anything big but the more people you can rope in to participate the more sponsors you will get onboard.

Does the hospital allow you to raise funds through the Justgiving website? It is quick to set up and a really easy way for people to sponsor you online. We also put together a PDF with our story and a sponsorship form to print out/send to those offline.

Here's a link to our Justgiving page if it helps. Good luck with it - our neonatal unit is pretty strapped for cash and it felt great to give something back!

Lots of big companies will double what you raise through sponsorship. Make sure you take advantage of gift aid. It adds about 30% to whatever you raise.

Ways I have heard people raise money for local NNU include;

Donations in lieu of naming/christening, or 1st Christmas or 1st birthday

Marathons/half marathons

Parties or Balls (v posh!!)

Getting the company they work for to adopt the NNU or charity attached to it as their ;charityof the year'

Hydroactive 5K Run in 3 parts of the country is a great way to raise money for NNUs - you don't have to raise money for the charities in the official literature they send you, and 5K is enough for 'non runners' (Like me!) to do. You can get sponsored to run.

Things like Pampered Chef evenings can raise cash for organisations, you ask for the % of takings to go to your chosen cause rather than take the money off buying products yourself. I think this also works for Body Shop at Home and Virgin Vie parties.

Hope this is of interest. (We have done stuff for the NNU that looked after our daughter. Actually, when my Dad died that same year my Mum asked for donations to the NNU in lieu of flowers, as she thought he would have wanted something like that, and he had been so proud of his granddaughter's fighting spirit.)

Good luck xx

This is literally my first time on here for months as I've been so busy with the lo and training for the half marathon in my home town (madness, I know). I really love some of the ideas here tho and may steal a couple as I feel every little I give is nothing compared to what was given to me. Thank you x

Hiya!

We are raising money for the neonatal unit that looked after our prem son this year and was wondering if any of you could help.

Once we've raised the money do we just take the cheque to the unit?

I don't want it to end up in the wrong hands.

Thanks

xchelle I would phone the unit and ask them.

Well done to everybody for the fundraising.