Decide what type of gathering you’ll be having
This is an opportunity to have a get together, so go large or small, but decide on the right type of gathering you want to have. Coffee, buffet at home, snacks at work, formal dinner, Prosecco party or high tea – it’s what works for you.
You could be audacious and hold more than one gathering too!
Host in the morning, afternoon, evening throughout the weekend – it’s entirely up to you. Plan a time, date and place that’ll suit you and your guests.
Create a list of people you would love to be at your event
Put together a list of all the people you know – friends, family, co-workers. Don’t think too much at this stage as to whether they will come or not, but whether you would love them to be there.
Decide on your fundraising goal
Having something to aim for always helps. Also consider whether your guests would be prepared to pay a higher amount for a good cause.
For example, if you invite 6 friends around for a dinner party, you could invite them to make a donation amount that similar to what they would pay in a restaurant for the same type of food.
Plan your menu
Will you bake your own cakes? How many courses will you have for your dinner party? Make from scratch or order in? Whatever you decide to do, early planning will mean less time in the kitchen on the day and more time with your guests.
Ask for help
Just because you are hosting, doesn’t mean you need to do everything yourself!
Consider other ways to make your event fun
A raffle is a great way to offer something extra, and raise additional funds towards your fundraising goal!
Invite your guests early
A phone call or face to face are so much more enrolling, when inviting guests, but sometimes it also works to send emails. Make them as personal as possible (our kit includes a template for you to use).
Make it personal
Explaining a little bit about why you are supporting Climb Any Mountain and what it means for you, makes it all the more personal.
People you know are more likely to support you in asking them to make a donation. Simply ask!
Don’t forget to follow up
Everyone has busy lives and stuff happens all the time, so do follow up with your guests nearer to the time to make sure that they can still make it on the day.
Of course, you may not be able to do anything about people dropping out on the day itself, but having other people on your list that you can invite instead helps.
Be bold in asking for donations
Making sure people know right away that it is a fundraising event will help to make it easier to ask for the donation. Depending on your event, it might work to collect donations before the event. Having cards marked with the donation amounts or a money tin also helps.
Encourage others to hold their own event
Collectively, you could reach so many more and increase the amount of money you can raise. For example, get 5 friends to hold their own supper night, each inviting 5 of their own friend.
Share on social media
Please share your event on your social accounts (if it is an open event ) and invite others to hold their own.
Please also do share pictures of your event on our Facebook page and tag with #ComeOnOver, #TalkMentalHealth, #WorldMHDay2019
Thank everyone for coming
Thanking people for attending is just a nice thing to do. It also provides a way to follow up and remind them to pay any donations promised.
We will, of course, also make sure you have details of the types of events held and how much was raised, so that you and your guest know what a difference your support has made.
