Running your own fundraiser can be great fun and rewarding.  It’s also easier than you might think, whether it’s a traditional idea like a bake sale, games night or pub quiz, or something entirely unique, this guide will help you plan, publicise and manage your event. 

We’re always happy to offer support and advice. You can reach us at info@mdspatientsupport.org.uk or call 020 7733 7558.

Step 1: Choose Your Fundraising Idea 

Start with something simple and achievable; popular ideas include

• Bake sales: if you love baking and your family and friends love eating it, this is for you.  You could take orders in advance,or organise a get-together - even ‘up the ante’ with a demo or two! 

• Quiz nights: organise a quiz night for your local pub, or a virtual quiz night from home (there are online-friendly quizzes available where cheating is nigh-on impossible!).  Charge to join, and incorporate a raffle or auction in the break – ask local businesses to donate a prize. 

• Games nights: board games like Cluedo, Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary etc are always popular, and not just at Christmas!  Dig out your games, invite some friends, lay on some drinks and snacks and let the fun take care of itself.

• Film nights:  great for a village hall or community centre, but could also be your back garden on a summer evening.  Add to the fun by making it themed and/or fancy dress.  Charge for entry but also make/sell refreshments to raise more money.

• Coffee mornings:  could be alongside a bake sale as above, or just a get-together with friends for a good cause.  Consider including a raffle or auction, a talk by someone interesting, or maybe wellness taster sessions by a local practitioner.

• Sponsored challenges:  ideas include a sponsored dog walk, bike ride, or even shaving your hair off!

• Craft markets or stalls: ideal for crafters, knitters, artists, photographers – book a stall at a local crafts or artisan event and sell your products to raise funds.  

• Boot fair: have a clear-out and raise some cash at the same time.  Better than taking your toot to the tip!

   

Pick an event that suits your talents, time, and budget, and the size of your audience, so it is achievable.  Fundraising events can be hugely enjoyable and rewarding, but be realistic about how much time you have and keep it simple.  Ask family and friends to join in, sharing the load makes it easier and more enjoyable. 

Step 2: Set your Goals

Ask yourself: 

• How much do I want to raise? Setting a clear fundraising target gives you a goal to aim for and something to share with others. According to JustGiving, fundraisers with targets raise up to 46% more than those without—so it's a powerful way to kick-start your fundraising

• How many people do I want to attend? Divide your target by an average contribution to get a rough idea of how many people you’ll need. Example: If your goal is £500, and you think each person might contribute around £10, you’ll need about 50 attendees.

• How much time can I put into setting up and running the event? A simple formula could be

  • Event date (– today) = weeks available

  • Weeks available × hours per week = total hours you can commit.

Step 3: Plan the essentials

Key things to consider: 

• What? – What type of event could you run?  Will it need a venue?  Will you need a risk assessment and/or insurance? (events venues will be able to help with this).

• When? – Pick a date that gives you enough time to prepare, and your guests or participants plenty of notice.

• Where? – You may need to book a venue early, especially for weekend events in the summer months. Consider community halls, local pubs, schools, or even your own home or garden.

• Who? – Who could you ask to help? Think about friends, family, colleagues, or members of your local community who might enjoy getting involved. Tip: Secondary schools often have designated charity reps who are on the lookout for causes to support and events to help with.

• How long? – You could keep it to just a couple of hours or make a day of it — just make sure it suits your audience and is manageable for you and any help.

• How will I accept donations? - One of the easiest ways is to set up a JustGiving page to accept donations. JustGiving have a useful page on their website of  How to set up a JustGiving page for charity. Once it's set up you can send the link to everyone.

Step 4: Promote your Event

Promotion is key to a successful event. The more people who know about your fundraiser, the better the support you’ll receive. You can reach friends, family, colleagues, and your wider community through a mix of social media, messaging apps, printed materials, and local networks. Here are some simple ways to get started:

Step 5: Get Prepared

• Place a box or a bag by the door and start dropping in it things you need to take with you, to avoid last minute panics like ‘where are the scissors?’, ‘what can I use as a cash tin?’, ‘have I got enough change to make up a float?’ (high street banks are hard to find nowadays, but bags of coins can be picked up from a post office).

• Double check travel arrangements, including travelling time and where to unload/park if it’s a bigger event, and remind any helpers to turn up.

• Wear comfortable shoes!

Tip: Remember to allow for the float when counting up your takings, and pay yourself back before paying the funds to us.

Step 6: Run the Event

Step 7: Send in your donations

Step 8: Thank your supporters!

After the event:

• Thank everyone who supported or donated – a little appreciation goes a long way (there are resources in the MDS UK Fundraising Toolkit to make it easy to say thank you). 

• Once all the donations are in, let supporters know how much you raised (if you’re not sure we can help track this). 

• Share photos and stories of the event in your social media feeds, and don't forget to tag us in! 

• Finally, know how much we truly appreciate all your efforts!  Your event has not only raised much-needed funds to help with support and research, but also helps raise public awareness of MDS and CMML.   

Thank you so much!

Any Questions?

We’re here to help! If you need: 

• Fundraising tips

• Poster templates or donation forms

• Help setting up an online donation or event page 

• MDS UK branded wear (t-shirts, caps, running vests) 

• Cash collection goblets or envelopes 

• MDS UK lapel pins, leaflets

Call 020 7733 7558 or email fundraising@mdspatientsupport.org.uk — we’d love to hear your plans and support you in any way we can.