Challenging ideas

Artwork auction

Are you an artist or do you have a bunch of talented friends? Ask them to donate to your cause and hold an auction.

Children’s fun day

Arrange magic, face painting, competitions and whatever else kids love to do. Charge the parents an entry fee and supply drinks and snacks.

Concerts

Not for the faint hearted. This involves booking venue, equipment hire, bands and ticket selling. Publicity is key and don’t aim too high!

Dances

Organise a disco, ballroom, salsa or 70’s night at your local hall. All you need is a DJ and a temporary drinks licence which might be already available at the venue.

Exhibition

Get local arts groups (painters, sculptors, crafters etc.) to exhibit their work. Charge people a small amount to visit, and ask exhibitors to pay a fee for their pitch. You can even include an auction.

Expeditions

Desperate to walk across the Sahara, climb Everest or swim to the North Pole? You can undertake your dream expedition and raise money for good causes. It takes a lot of organising, but it is so satisfying.

Festivals

You’ll need a team of volunteers to do this properly. A small festival will involve a number of stalls, refreshments and entertainment which you can normally get donated. Charge entry and make commission on each sale.

It’s a knock Out

Dress up, and play silly games. There are a number of inflatable fun websites to hire equipment. Don’t forget to get sumo suits and big heads!

Garden party

A mini-festival with stalls, games, refreshments and raffles in your own garden. Make sure that you tell the neighbours.

Golf days

Try and get a golf club to sponsor an event for you. You’ll have to promote like crazy to fill up the tournament and get the viewers in. Try to get a celebrity to play, and always take this chance to hold a raffle and auction in the evening.

Lose the hair

Ladies…shave your head. Men…all over body wax.

No smoking week

It’s for your own good, and will give you a real incentive.

Triathlon

Difficult to organise your own, so best to get a place in your local triathlon or experts can book a place in the London Triathlon. Ask friends to sponsor you.