Fundraising - how you can help

As we receive no help from any government body there are many different ways in which we obtain funds for our vital work. We approach charitable trusts and foundations, hold auctions and other charity events, receive gift aid and promote our dolphin adoption project and dolphin/whale boat trips to keep protecting dolphins, whales and their environment.

As an individual you too can help raise vital funds. Organising an event is a great way to get involved and support the charity's work. Fundraising events can raise a few pounds or a few hundred pounds - no matter how large or small the amount the Marine Connection greatly appreciates every penny raised to help support our projects and campaigns.

So if you are ready to get started - here are some great fundraising ideas;

Auctions: Collect items from local businesses/celebrities (don't forget to ask service companies such as spas, hairdressers, travel agents etc., and organise an auction at a local venue such as a community centre. To make it more interesting, team up with a restaurant or hotel to hold the auction at a dinner event and charge people for the dinner to raise more funds, in summertime why not hold a barbeque instead?

Bake Sale: Get your school or local woman's association to bake cakes and prepare home-made jams for a sale at the local fair. Offer a sponsored prize to the person who raises the most money.

Car Boot Sale: Get your family and friends to have a clear out and rent a stall at your local market or organise a jumble sale in your neighbourhood.

Collection Boxes: Place collection boxes in outlets such as libraries, supermarkets etc. Remember to get permission first.

Dinner & Dance: Team up with a local restaurant to hold a dinner and dance event, to make it more fun go for a theme such as James Bond or Masquerade Ball - hold a raffle to raise more funds.

eBay 'Giving Works': If you regularly sell though eBay or just need to clear our some of your clutter, create a listing through their 'Giving Works' programme and you will have the opportunity to donate from as little as 10% to as much as 100% of your items' final sale price to the Marine Connection.

Fashion Show: Ask local department stores and/or designers to contribute clothes and use your friends/family/local students as models. Raise money by selling tickets to the show and the sale of clothes.

Recycling: Raise money at no cost to you simply by asking your office/work/school/family & friends if they would recycle their mobile phones and printer cartridges.

Quiz night: Arrange a quiz night at your local pub with a raffle to raise money. Ask friends and family to donate items for the raffle.

Other ideas: Ask friends/family to take part in a local sponsored walk or swim.