Fundraising at this challenging time

As we have now been in lockdown for over four weeks, it’s beginning to become very clear what impact Covid-19 is having and will continue to have on the charity sector. I was reading this week that the top 25 mass participation sports events in the UK raise over ￡150 million for charities every year, and with fundraising events up and down the country postponed, delayed or even sadly cancelled this will have a huge impact on places like Sobell House Hospice where I am the Corporate Partnerships Manager.

To support the work of 1000’s of charities up and down the country doing brilliant work, Sobell House will be joining others in taking part in The 2.6 Challenge. This will take place this coming Sunday, April 26th, the day when thousands of runners should have been pounding the streets of our capital city for the London Marathon. It is really straight forward; all that people need to do is think of an activity that suits their skills based around the number 2.6 or 26! Please do check our website for details.

The 2.6 Challenge is just one of many things out there that charities are getting involved with that bridge the gap of funding and help them to keep in touch with their supporters. But what is the impact on charities at this time?

·      I work with the corporate sector and giving is likely to be down in this area in response to the economic uncertainty. Many employees fundraise at events and in their work places and obviously that can’t take place at the moment. Many businesses want to support places like Sobell House, but understandably keeping their business afloat has been their priority.

·      The impact on the economy is likely to reduce disposable income which will mean that people many have to give less to charities.

·      As I have already mentioned, charities do rely on mass participation events and none of these are taking place at the moment. Many of the events hopefully will be taking place later in the year but we expect there to be many diary clashes.

·      At Sobell House, we rely on income from our shops to support the care and we have had to close all eight of them.

·      The local community is a big area of support for charities and fundraising in this area will be down over the coming months. Fundraising involves having fun and coming together with others.

A few final notes…

So, what’s my conclusion here? I may have painted quite a negative picture but really it’s not all doom and gloom. Throughout our catchment area here in Oxfordshire and in the UK generally, we are seeing a great outpouring of kindness and goodness, much of it directed at the charity sector. From Captain Tom who is a fine Yorkshireman (most of them are!) raising millions for the NHS, others fundraising in their gardens, some making PPE, others cooking meals for people and checking up on neighbours and friends: it’s a great scene of people putting others first and doing what they can.

I came across this great quote from Dr Jane Goodall and it’s so true;

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what difference you want to make”

I finish by saying we can all make a difference. Also, a very big thank you to the many who are doing that right now. This coming Sunday, how about taking part in The 2.6 Challenge for Sobell House? 2.6km walk up and down your street, 26 skips with a skipping rope, or like me, push your son around your garden in a wheelbarrow 26 times. These are crazy times and we need to do crazy things!

I send my best wishes to the many people and businesses who do so much for Sobell House. Many people through my work have become such good friends. When this is over I look forward to continuing to partner with you in the ways that we have over the past three years.

If you would like to have a chat about any of these ideas, please phone me on 07527849748 or email [email protected] – I would love to hear from you.

Useful links

The 2.6 Challenge - https://www.twopointsixchallenge.co.uk

JustGiving – https://www.justgiving.com/start-fundraising

Virgin Money Giving – https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving

Zoom – https://zoom.us

Skype – https://www.skype.com/en