Fun Solent fundraiser idea

M

Mrssolentclown

Active Member
Joined
27 Dec 2017
Messages
57
Visit site
I now work for Cancer Research UK and as part of my job I need to organise a fundraiser every year. In the past I have organised events that range from music gigs to drag races but nothing I could take part in.
I have an idea for a Solent Relay maybe a barrel or two of ale or crate or two of wine being passed from yacht to yacht with a party at the end. Maybe with some treasure to find on the way.
So I don't have a clue where to start or even if it is even possible but there are lots of clubs around the Solent we could put collection boxes in clubhouses and I think we would get good media attention.

Help or shoot me down in flames if it is a terrible idea.

Mods if this post is out of bounds please feel free to delete the thread.
Thanks
 
Not entirely sure what you're actually proposing to do, Mrs Clown, although it sounds laudable.

Perhaps it might be fun to arrange an attempt at the largest ever rafting of yachts in one place, one lunchtime in midsummer?

Those taking part pay a fiver-a-head, one sober skipper per boat, and all their passengers get well-and-truly...:very_drunk:

Never know, it might make the news and become a regular fun-fundraiser elsewhere too.
 
she is tired an emotional (passed out on the sofa) after a long area meeting today. Please fire any ideas you have at her, it isn't often fun and fundraising genuinely come together.
For my part, I can only hope something waterborne is next. Please feel free to Pm her, you can always meet up with her for a chat if you are southampton way.
 
It seems to be hard enough to organise anything yacht-related without taking enough money off people to justify the wages of professional charity collectors.
I have to say that waged charity staff would be fairly unwelcome in many clubs, where people do a lot for free.
We have our own charities already, apart from the obvious lifeboats, we have Bart's, Disabled Sailing, John Merricks and some local yoof ones which I won't embarass by association.
 
well she is not a waged fundraiser, she works for Cancer research in a completely different field, but they are encouraged to do some kind of event each year.
You may not be aware that we also run a charity of our own from our workshop for recovering service personnel and veterans, as well as a disabled kids car club, and work experience.
All at our own expense and self funding.
She is not a chugger, just a good old fashioned busy body do gooder. Something we could do with more of.
Thank you for your input, I take it you are speaking for the majority by the authority of your statement, so we will not bother with this.
 
solent clown said:
...
Thank you for your input, I take it you are speaking for the majority by the authority of your statement, so we will not bother with this.
Click to expand...
I speak only for myself from my own experience.
Making anything happen with yacht sailors is a hard sell, and making money from it, more so. Compared to bikers or electronics enthusiasts.
It's bad enough getting them to do anything for their own benefit at no cost.

No offence intended, just telling it like I've seen it.
 
lw395 said:
I speak only for myself from my own experience.
Making anything happen with yacht sailors is a hard sell, and making money from it, more so. Compared to bikers or electronics enthusiasts.
It's bad enough getting them to do anything for their own benefit at no cost.

No offence intended, just telling it like I've seen it.
Click to expand...

Not a problem chap. Her previous events have all been about having a laugh - the drag race was always fun to watch - drag as in big hairy local businessmen and dignitaries in dresses doing a run from pub to pub. It normally all hooks up with Stand Up To Cancer.
I think her initial idea was to relay donated supplies of booze from Ocean Village to maybe the Hamble or IOW on various peoples boats, and have a booze up at the end.
If there isn't much interest or people are already otherwise engaged she will think of something else. Maybe a raft race further upriver.
 
Last edited:
solent clown said:
Don't take that last post as a hissy fit, your frankness will save a lot of time and energy being wasted
Click to expand...

We've crossed posted.
I would be quite happy to be proved wrong.

Looking back at the things that have gone well, a few non-boaty things stand out, like a few sailors doing bike rides and runs.
The post-training drinks were good for bar profits anyway....

But one problem is, if you prod a group of a dozen sailors, about five of them seem to have a connection with their favourite charity already.
 
Raising money in these tough times isn't easy anyway.
Fortunately our own little endeavour is not a fund raising organisation (I don't think I could be doing with all that) but a facilitating organisation for other charities and local authorities to use. We have no funding or grants, no collection boxes and do not accept donations. That is what makes it sustainable, and easy to keep close to our original ethos. But it does keep us poor!
 
I think lw395 is right to some extent. But its more complex than he describes.

Firstly there are yachty types who would gladly chuck several £20 notes at some glitzy high profile charity event. BUT it needs to be exactly that - glitzy, high profile etc. SloentClown turning up in the ex-sunk trailer sailor is not going to be the right type of clientelle! Furthermore, you either have huge overheads for things like Marinas or a lot of work to get berthing donated etc. It wont be a single (wo)man planning operation.

On the "lower" end of the sailing food chain... ...lots of people will be struggling to make ends meet running the boat. They may be happy to pay to participate in a Charity Event, but unless the charity is very close to them (to get multiple sailor interest you probably need RNLI, local Indy etc) they probably don't want to be paying more than normal for whatever it is they are getting. Race entry etc...

Some of the RIB community started going round the IoW for MacMillan a few years ago. Suggestion to donate the cost of the fuel IIRC... ...But its a bit odd: 1. What is the charity link? 2. You could stay at home and donate the fuel cost and be better off!? 3. Some people donated to join others on boats (can of worms!)... I think they liked the company for what is a relatively challenging passage for some and they got some big flotillas etc.

But - to get something that big - you need to stand out from all the other Solent 'stuff'... Is a p1$$ up stand out enough?
 
Thanks for all your help and advice, I'm going to organise a stand up paddle boarding event with my student supporters of local school and university.
If anyone here wants to join us then let me know will be sometime in August.
 
ShinyShoe said:
Some of the RIB community started going round the IoW for MacMillan a few years ago. Suggestion to donate the cost of the fuel IIRC... ...But its a bit odd: 1. What is the charity link? 2. You could stay at home and donate the fuel cost and be better off!? 3. Some people donated to join others on boats (can of worms!)... I think they liked the company for what is a relatively challenging passage for some and they got some big flotillas etc.

But - to get something that big - you need to stand out from all the other Solent 'stuff'... Is a p1$$ up stand out enough?
Click to expand...

Events can be as much about awareness as raising funds, especially for larger charities. Large amounts of money raised comes from legacy donation.
Thank you for your advice.
 
Perhaps a Treasure Hunt through the Solent etc finishing up at somewhere like Osborne Bay at the conclusion for a get -together and beverages. Perhaps at say £5.00 per boat entry. Great for the kid crews and improve your navigational and general knowledge.
The clues could be in verse to make them cryptic, and not all same clues collected at the start, but after completing ,say, five of the clues a second set is given by the organisers.
The sets of clues would all be different so that no-one could do a 'follow my leader' of the boat in front ,
A calculated total time plus 30 mins should permit all boats to meet at the agreed finish by that time, delivering their answers to the organising judge(s) at the finishing venue, with a suitable prize etc.
Entries could be done via these fora if allowed.
Just a possible idea.

Ian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

cyberkryten
We finally bought a boat - Merry Fisher 895s2
2 3
Replies
41
Views
2K
Cathy*
C

Share this page

Top