My previous post, Sweet Charity Case, talks about the threat to the survival of charities in the UK and overseas, because of the withdrawal of corporate sponsorship and cancellation of individual donations, as a result of the economic downturn.
British charities are also losing hundreds of thousands of pounds as the Big Lottery Fund, diverts cash to finance the 2012 Olympics in London.
Many of us support charities by throwing coins in collection tins and signing a monthly direct debit, but have you considered other ways of making a valuable donation? How about volunteering your time, talents and enthusiasm?
Have you considered volunteering at a hospice? Help is required to do all sorts of jobs, for example, driving the minibus to collect daycare patients, serving refreshments to visitors, and greeting at the reception desk. These posts are often staffed by volunteer workers.
A study in 2006 by Help the Hospices estimated the value of volunteers to independent charitable hospices in the UK to be over £112 million.
If you have a special talent or skill, like massage or reiki, hairdressing or complementary therapies, perhaps you could provide a service once a week or month to hospice patients.
When a person is battling cancer or any life threatening illness, a gentle, relaxing massage can help alleviate tensions and stresses, and a new hairdo can lift and strengthen the spirit. Little things count… the little things that we take for granted.
Charity sports fundraisers present the chance for you to donate yourself, and there are many events such as ‘Relay for Life’ and the ‘Great Run’ for which you must find people willing to sponsor you, and they donate a specific amount of money for every lap you walk or run. Every year these events get bigger, as participants get to run through some really wonderful scenery, and many people travel to attend.
Just about any sports activity can be an inspiration for a charity athletic fundraiser. Football and cricket are popular choices, as are tennis and golf. One activity that may not be considered athletic is dancing, but a dance floor with live music, can attract a crowd on a warm Summer’s night.
If you have access to a high school gym or the like, a ‘40s jitterbug theme, ‘50s jive, or ‘70s glam rock dance night can be maximum fun and make good money for your charity by charging admission.
Involvement in any of these charity fundraising activities, as a volunteer or a participant, has a feelgood factor that warms the heart and lifts the spirit.
If you are a charity volunteer or participate in charity fundraising events, I’d love to hear your stories.
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Charity funding in the UK and around the world is seriously threatened by the current calamitous economic forecast. Until last Spring, I worked for a London-based hospice charity and during the six years I was a member of its workforce, I witnessed the organisation blossom and flourish.
