Thank you for considering raising funds for the Encephalitis Society, we really appreciate the efforts of our supporters. You will find ideas and the results of past fundraising events in our newsletters.

There are some general points you should keep in mind to help keep your fundraising safe, legal and successful as well as enjoyable.

Make it Enjoyable

Fundraising should be fun, it can be also hard work but if there is an element of fun it will feel more worthwhile. Also the more people enjoy themselves, the more generously they give.

Keep the size within your means

Large scale events need plenty of spare time, a good number of helpers and financial outlay. A surprising amount of money can be raised with smaller events with little or no initial financial outlay.

Legal Issues

Having decided on your fundraising activity, you must ensure before you start that you obtain any permissions or licences that may be required from the local authorities and/or police. For example, public street collections have to be licensed and if you are selling or raffling alcoholic drinks this must also be licensed. You also need to obtain permission from the owner or manager for events or collections taking place on private property, e.g. supermarkets.

Public liability insurance

The Encephalitis Society has public liability insurance that covers legal liability to persons and damage to third party property arising out of fundraising events that have been registered with the Society. However this insurance does not cover hazardous pursuits such as bungy jumping/ firework displays and does not cover damage to leased and rented property such as a charity shop. If you are hiring premises for an event please check that the premises has public liability insurance. If you are unsure whether you are covered please contact the Society.

Publicity

Publicising your event will generate wider interest, send the details to your local paper who may also be interested in your story. Your event could then raise awareness of encephalitis as well as funds.

If you take photographs, you must let the subjects know that their picture may be published, to comply with the Data Protection Act. You can then submit your photographs to us for publication in the Encephalitis Newsletter.

Help from The Encephalitis Society

We will do everything we can to help, support and encourage you. We can supply sponsor forms and a letter of authority indicating that you are fundraising on our behalf and encouraging people to support you. Please complete the Fundraising agreement form in the Fundraising pack so that we have a record of your efforts.

Sending your money

To ensure safe passage of your money to the Encephalitis Society we suggest you:
Either
Bank the money in your bank / building society and write a cheque to “Epilepsy Action” for the total amount.
Or
If you don’t have a cheque account, ask the bank to write you a bankers’ draft, made payable to the Encephalitis Society for the amount or buy postal orders with the money.

Please do not send cash through the post as it could easily go missing.

Please send the money to the Encephalitis Society, 7b Saville Street, Malton, YO17 7LL, UK, enclosing a brief note explaining how the money has been raised. A receipt will be sent for the amount raised but do let us know if you need separate receipt and “Thank you letter” for a specific donation.

The easy way to raise sponsorship!

If you’re planning to enter a sponsored event for us, you can now raise your sponsorship money without even leaving your chair… No more dealing with cash or cheques, no more hassling friends and family.

We have teamed up with Justgiving, the charity website that automatically reclaims 28% tax on every donation from a UK taxpayer – making it quicker for you to reach your target amount and ensuring more money goes to help our cause. Its secure servers mean all card information is totally safe.

All you do is create your own Internet sponsor page, email it to all your friends and get them to donate quickly and easily online with a credit or debit card. Plus, online donations from UK taxpayers collect a 28% tax bonus!

Just go to: www.justgiving.com/encephalitissociety/raisemoney and follow the simple step by step instructions:

• Email the page to all your friends
• Watch your total grow on screen
• Include a photo and personal message
• Update your target amount as often as you like
• 28% tax bonus added to donations
• No need to deal with cash or cheques

Some tried and tested ways for raising funds

Coffee Mornings / Evenings, Cheese and Wine, Open Gardens - can be held in your home or in a local community centre. Include a display of information.

Street Party / Disco / Quiz Nite / Pub Crawl - these need more organising but can be huge fun.

Street Collection - A collection cannot take place in public place unless the organiser, known as the promoter, has obtained a license from the local district council. The promoter should seek advice from the local licensing authority before proceeding. After the collection the promoter must complete a return for the benefit of the licensing authority. The promoter must certify the return and have it countersigned by a qualified accountant. The treasurer of the Encephalitis Society can do this.

Collection in a Supermarket - has many advantages. It is under cover, you don't need a licence, a display could be included and fewer collectors are needed. Contact the supermarket and ask for their policy. You may need to book a date months in advance.

Sponsored Events - These can be anything - a sponsored walk, a sponsored head shave, a sponsored litter pick-up or sponsorship for a National event such as the Great North Run. Schools may be happy to get involved also your place of work or your local pub. The office can provide supporting letters to members requesting a place in Marathons and other events.

Raffles - The Encephalitis Society is licensed to hold public raffles. If you would like to organise one on behalf of the Society, contact the national office for details of the license. Companies and local firms can often be persuaded to give prizes for raffles. Tickets can be sold nationally through the newsletter.