SPORTING CHALLENGES: 10 TIPS FOR FUNDRAISING

As summer starts to heat up, it provides us with more light and more opportunity to get outside and be active. Take INOV8 ambassador Alex Staniforth for example, who has been undertaking an impressive feat of cycling between and running up all 446 mountains across England and Wales to raise money for Mind Over Mountains.

If you’ve been feeling inspired to get out there and take on a charity challenge yourself, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled 10 top tips for fundraising to help you achieve your goals.

Take time to reflect on why you’re choosing to fundraise and how this will help your cause. Awareness? Financial? Both? Take stock of your goals and plan a challenge that will help you achieve them. When you set up a donation page make sure to tell others why you’re undertaking the challenge and why they should get involved. The personal touch can go a long way. You can raise 65% more if you tell your story, and 13% more per photo if you add some snaps to the page.

Challenges can be subjective. For one person, an ultramarathon might be their idea of a nice day out so they need to find a way to make this a bit less enjoyable so others recognise the struggle. For another person, a 5K might be a massive milestone that friends and family will recognise as a serious challenge and one to support them on.

Whatever you decide, try to find a balance between achievable and challenging. People want you to be challenged but they also want you to succeed.

How much do you want to raise and how much is realistic? Have a think about how many people you know, and how much coverage your challenge may get. Set yourself a goal that others feel they can help you reach. If you set a target, you’re already likely to raise 17% more.*

You know yourself better than anyone. Will you be needing a team to help guide you and entertain you along the way? Or are you better to focus and move through the challenge alone? There’s no wrong answer, and it depends on how you want to approach the challenge. If you’re looking to share the experience and have a bit of a laugh then taking friends and family along with you can ensure you have a support crew, as well as friendly faces for your darkest times. If you’re wanting to challenge yourself further, or simply prefer the idea of tackling it alone, then do! A solo challenge can be a great time to reflect on yourself, and what you’re capable of as an individual.

Do you want a big flag to carry with you? Maybe some swanky sponsored t-shirts? Ask for them! When fundraising, the more exposure you can get the better. Asking for help, equipment, or even a shout out at your local pub quiz can make a difference to your final total and will let more people know the amazing challenge you’re about to undertake.

If you’re walking a busy route, or running to a summit, it pays to stand out. Literally. If you can find a way to distinguish yourself it provides people with an excuse to ask ‘What are you doing?’ and ‘Why are you dressed as a roman soldier in a heatwave’ (It’s a good question, July is too hot for armour). These small interactions with people can add up, giving you a boost in donations and general morale. If your goal is to help spread awareness, then standing out via t-shirts or crazy outfits can be a great way to start a conversation.

If you gathered some interest before you begin the challenge, it’s worth giving something back to your early supporters. Let them know how you’re feeling, what’s coming up next, or why they should share your challenge. Social media can be a great tool to update your friends and family on your progress, it also means you can see supportive messages when you might need them most. If you’re feeling a bit more brave, a public account can be a good way to get even more attention. Try updating with vlogs of the bad and the good, or photos of interesting sights you’ve seen. Take your supporters with you and they’ll feel part of something bigger than just donating.

Did it really happen if you didn’t Strava it? You can raise 40% more just by connecting a fitness tracker to your activity.* Setting up a live tracker is also a great way for people to follow along and ‘dot watch’. Pick your preferred safety settings too and either have delayed updates or live, in case you want company along the way!

20% of donations come in after the challenge has been completed.* Make sure to thank everyone who donated, supported, and joined you along the way.

Charity is a powerful way to bring people together so remind yourself that you’re doing good. It might not always feel good when the weather is wrong, you’re tired, or you’re sore, but you’re doing a good thing and people believe in you. If in doubt, wear something  that you can’t help but laugh at. And keep going. You’ve got this.

*Statistics from JustGiving

Alex Staniforth To Attempt Record Over 446 Mountains

Mind Over Mountains