What to bear in mind before starting a big event

All you need to organise a fundraising event is a good idea and lots of energy … and plenty of friends and colleagues to help!

Here are some guidelines that will help you organise fundraising activities for us. We would ask that you understand and agree to the following if you are organising a fundraising event in aid of Compton Hospice.

* We need to know what you are doing - please email karenphillips@compton-hospice.org.uk.
* We need to give you a letter of authority showing that you are fundraising on our behalf.
* All posters, tickets etc, must state that Compton Hospice is a registered charity and show the registered charity number.
* You need to keep clear accounts of any events - the details of the expenditure and the income received.
* Money should be collected in sealed containers.
* Lotteries or dangerous events should not be organised in our name. Contact us to perhaps join in one of ours.
* Any activity needing a gaming license needs to be discussed with the fundraising department.
* Be safe - don’t do anything illegal or dangerous.
* Compton Hospice is unable to underwrite any costs associated with the event - these would be your responsibility.

Planning The Event
* Make sure that you are not clashing with any other events in your area.
* Give yourself enough time to organise every aspect of the event, from promoting it to getting enough helpers on the day.
* Look at all aspects of the day and think about what could go wrong and how you would deal with it. Consider doing a risk assessment.
* (Please see www.hse.gov.uk for any help with health and safety), or contact the fundraising department.
* Do you need any licenses or permits to do your events? e.g. an alcohol license? Please check this with your local authority.
* Remember to advertise your event - use the local newspapers (they are more likely to use your story than ours, because we send them so many press releases), local radio and any other contacts you may have.
* Make sure that people helping on the day know exactly what they are doing at the event and that you have enough helpers.
* Do you need to inform the police?
* Do you need first aid?

Value for Money
* Make sure that your prices are fair so people feel they are getting value for money, they are more likely to come to any future events.

Be Realistic
* Don’t be over-ambitious.
* Ask other people you know who have done similar things before. Ask them what works and, as important, what doesn’t.

After the event
* Please send the money into Compton Hospice, marked for corporate fundraising.
* Please remember to include your contact details so that we can thank you.
* Please remember to thank everyone involved.
* Please e-mail/send us photos of the event so that we can use it for promotional purposes.