There are a wide variety of different and creative things you can do to raise funds and increase awareness of our work. This is a list of tried and tested examples which is in no way comprehensive. At each event it is good to have information about Ratanak International and how others can get involved. You can print fliers and posters from the resources section or get in touch and we may be able to do this for you
Cake Sale
Everyone loves cake so this is always a winner! Bake cakes and / or biscuits, selling them with a cup of tea, hot chocolate, coffee, juice, etc. Maybe sell them for £1 a slice after a church service or hire the local Town Hall. Local markets often offer free stalls for charity sales though these may have to be booked well in advance.
Treasure Hunt
Write out clues directing people to various landmarks / pubs / etc. where they find another clue leading to another spot. After a number of clues the teams are directed to the finish line
the first to cross wins! This can be done on foot or in cars and provides a great opportunity for a social activity with teams paying to enter.
Sponsored Hair Event
Had enough of your beard / moustache/ long hair? You can have a sponsored shave / hair cut or you can be sponsored to see who can grow the longest beard or moustache in an agreed timescale. What about a sponsored leg / chest wax – not for the fainthearted!
Clothes Swap
A way to fundraise and revitalise your wardrobe! Invite friends / family / strangers to bring items of clothing they no longer wear but are in good condition. Each person can then swap their clothes for free on a one-for-one basis. Money is raised as you have to pay an entrance fee. Maybe combine this with the cake sale and/or raffle!
Raffle
Since you are working in your local community, raise awareness in local businesses and ask them to donate to a fundraising event. People can buy raffle tickets and win a dinner at a local restaurant or a photo session with a professional photographer or whatever you can get your hands on. This can be as big or small as you like To hold a raffle where tickets will be sold over several days or weeks, you will need a Society Lotteries Licence from your local council.
You will not need a licence if your raffle is held at a one-off event like a dinner, quiz or coffee morning. For this type of raffle, tickets can only be sold during the event and you must not have cash prizes or spend more than £250 on the prizes (donated prizes do not count). Tickets must not be more than £1 each and the result of the raffle must be drawn at the event.
Party Plan Evening
A wide and varied number of organisations are looking for homes to hold a part where a proportion of the sales are donated e.g. VIE, Body Shop, Jamie Oliver – the list goes on. You could even do your own with some small items for sale. A great opportunity to invite friends and neighbours round. Why not combine with a raffle.
Bag Pack
Contact your local supermarket and ask about doing a charity bag pack. As well as raising valuable funds you will be serving your local community.
Talent Show
Every community has its musicians, poets and comedians. Why not put on an evening of interesting and original local talent. Maybe share at some stage why you’re putting this event on and how people can get involved. Art can be inspiring and hopefully help in raising some money and awareness.
Car Boot Sale
We all have unwanted items lurking in lofts and cupboards so why not have a clearout.
Skills auction
If you’re good at gardening, cooking or playing the piano why not put your time up for auction and share your talents with the highest bidder?
Pennies For People
Get a group of people, such as colleagues, family or friends, to collect their small change in aid of Ratanak (UK). Give them a container with a hole cut in the lid and that’s all you have to do! Ask them to put their spare change in there – pennies, etc.
Sporting Challenge
Are you sporty or do you want to get fit? Most people fall into one of these two categories. Why not take part in a 10k run or even a marathon. Perhaps even organise a football game, a run round your local park, a roller-blading event, an aerobics class or anything else fitness related!
Extreme Challenge
Ratanak (UK) are partners with Discover Adventure to provide opportunities to take part in an extreme personal challenge. A cycle ride from Lands End to John O’ Groats, Sahara Trek, Climb Kilimanjaro or walk the Great Wall of China! If this is something that captures your imagination get in touch to discuss further.