Tips on Hosting a Fundraising Event

Whether you are in the early planning stages or getting near to the day itself, we're here to answer your fundraising queries. We hope that the following guidelines will prove useful to you.

Whatever you decide to do to help the Herts Air Ambulance we’re here to answer your fundraising queries. We hope that the following guidelines will prove useful to you.

General advice before your event

Keep it legal!

• If your fundraising involves collecting money or selling goods in a public place then you need to obtain permission and a licence from the local authority.
• Where events take place on private property you must obtain permission from the owner or manager.
• Please do not collect money door-to-door, as this is illegal without a licence.
• Small raffles are fine as long as they don't contain cash prizes and are part of a larger event. Other raffles may be unlawful so you must check with the Institute of Fundraising before holding these. You will find Codes of Fundraising Practice at www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk
• If you are planning to raise £5,000 or more, you must tell us in advance about how you plan to raise it.

Safety first

• The Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust cannot accept any liability for your event. If you need insurance, you will need to take it out yourself.
• You must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and all other relevant subordinate legislation.
• The Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust cannot accept responsibility for accidents, so make sure that your event is safe for all concerned.
• If you are going to be carrying money around take care with personal security. Always use a safe route and always be accompanied and/or carry a personal alarm.
• Make sure that no-one is fundraising, working or spectating in an unsafe environment.
• Assess the potential risks involved for the activity or tasks within the event and make sure that they are eliminated or minimised to an acceptable level, particularly in the case of children.

• For example, children must have suitable supervision and must only be allowed to use equipment that has been tested and maintained to the required safety standard.
• Remember that the Health & Safety Act applies to volunteers as well as employees.
• With adventure activities – for example, abseiling, parachuting, white water rafting or any other hazardous event, particular care should be taken.
• If sub-contractors or facilities are used, make sure that they have the requisite experience and insurance facilities.

Publicity

• We recommend that fundraisers contact their local radio/TV stations and newspapers directly.
• Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust sends out information to the media on a regular basis, usually regarding operational issues, and we find the media far more receptive to individual groups with regard to their attendance or promotion of events.
• We can however promote your activity or event by listing it on our web site. Simply complete the What's Happening Form.

If you are hosting an event or are thinking of hosting an event and would like some help simply complete our Fundraising Event Request Form and we will be in touch shortly.