Got a different idea? We'd love to hear it
The best fundraising ideas often come from supporters — people who know what works in their community, workplace or friendship circle. If you have an idea that isn't listed elsewhere on this page, we'd love to help make it happen.
Fundraising ideas that work well
Sponsored challenges
- Sponsored silence (harder than it sounds!)
- "Give something up" for a month — chocolate, alcohol, social media
- Head-shave or dye-your-hair challenges
- Wing walks, skydives, abseils and other adventures
- Sponsored cycle, swim or walk
Workplace fundraising
- Dress-down Friday with a donation
- Bake-offs and recipe competitions
- Step challenges between teams or departments
- Payroll giving — donate pre-tax straight from your salary
- Matched giving — many employers match employee donations pound-for-pound
- Team volunteering days paired with a charity collection
Auctions, raffles and sales
- Auction of experiences or donated prizes
- Raffles at events (under £20k requires a licence — ask us for advice)
- Car boot sales or garage sales
- Handmade crafts, cakes or produce sales
Personal milestones
- Donate your birthday — ask for donations instead of presents
- Wedding favours or wedding donations in lieu of gifts
- Anniversaries, retirements, and other celebrations
Creative ideas
- Art, music or craft auctions
- Talent shows and concerts
- Sponsored book reads or read-a-thons
- Themed dress-up days (schools and offices love these)
- Online quizzes and trivia nights
What we can help with
Whatever you have in mind, we can usually support you with:
- Advice on legalities (raffles, collections, food safety etc.)
- Fundraising pack with posters, sponsor forms and leaflets
- Promotional support on our social media and newsletter
- Collection tins, T-shirts or banners where available
- A member of staff attending where possible
- Thank you and impact updates afterwards
A few things to be aware of
- Some fundraising activities (e.g. large raffles, street collections) require a licence — we can advise
- If you're asking companies for donations or sponsorship, a letter from us confirming you're raising funds for a registered charity (No. 1010544) helps
- Food and drink activities need to follow basic food hygiene rules — we can point you to resources
- Keep things safe — especially with children, elderly participants, or physical challenges
Employer matched giving
Many UK employers will match the money their staff raise for charity — pound for pound, sometimes even doubling it. This is one of the simplest ways to multiply your fundraising effort. Check with your HR or CSR team to see if your company offers a matched giving scheme. We can provide a letter confirming our registered charity status to help with the process.
Schools and young people
Schools across Kent get involved in fundraising in creative ways:
- Non-uniform days — a £1 donation per pupil adds up fast in a large school
- Sponsored reads, walks, and obstacle courses — popular with primary schools
- Student council charity drives — secondary schools often choose a charity to support each term
- DofE volunteering — students completing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award can combine fundraising with their volunteering hours
- PSHE links — fundraising for carers ties into citizenship, community, and wellbeing topics
If you're a teacher, parent, or student who'd like to organise something at your school, get in touch — we can provide age-appropriate materials and even visit to talk to pupils about what carers do.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fundraise without an event? Absolutely. Many supporters simply share a JustGiving or Facebook link with friends and family — no event needed.
Do you have a minimum fundraising amount? No. Whether you raise £10 or £10,000, every penny goes to supporting carers across Kent.
Can I fundraise as a business? Yes — visit our corporate partnerships page for more about how businesses support us, including sponsorship, charity of the year, and employee engagement.
I have an unusual idea — will you still support it? Almost certainly. We've supported wing walks, beard-shaves, cold-water swims, and everything in between. If it's legal and safe, we're behind you.
Got an idea? Email our fundraising team or call 0345 095 6701 — we'd love to help you turn it into reality.