Why Use Social Media?

• It can help with your long-term motivation and accountability knowing that you have people waiting to hear how you’re getting on
• Social media profiles can help spread awareness for the cause behind your expedition and why you’re excited to go
• You can share what expedition you’re going on and what projects you’re going to be involved with to lots of people at the same time
• Sharing fundraising targets and updates to lots of people at the same time helps with time management and organisation
• It gets people excited for you, which means they may be more likely to donate to your cause

Social Media Top Tips

• Start by thinking what platform you want to use. Instagram is often the most popular and has the most people already using it, so a good place to start.
• Choose a clear profile picture and a short but punchy bio to explain what your account is about
• Link to your fundraising platform in the bio so people can easily donate and see more background on your upcoming expedition
• Stay consistent with posting, so people know where you’re up to with your fundraising target. This also helps with Instagram knowing that you’re an active account that has things to say!
• Engage with your followers as much as you can. If people comment, reply back to them and start a conversation. It’s a great way to stay motivated, spark new ideas from a wider audience and signal to Instagram that your content is engaging and worth sharing with more people

What Should I Post?

• Be authentic, and show the highs and lows of your fundraising journey so people can see the effort you’re putting in
• Show all the steps, including the behind the scenes of organising the events and how they went. Did you bake cakes? Did you organise a fun run? What did you do to get there? People love to know how things work, and it will help inspire other fundraisers too
• Share more of the day-to-day organisation and behind the scenes on your stories, but post some of them to your feed too! It helps to make people feel involved and want to continue following your journey, and helps if they’ve missed out on your stories
• You can post about the ‘why’ behind the account, such as where you’ll be going on expedition and what you’ll be getting up to
• Take your photos in good lighting and don’t post anything blurry. They don’t have to be super aesthetic, but clear colourful photos help tell your story so much better
• Talk about your milestones, what upcoming fundraising events and activities you have going on
• Use story highlights to categorise old stories and keep certain stories available on your profile, such as one highlight for each activity, one for behind the scenes, and one for your current fundraising pot

Being Safe on Social Media

• Keep your location and full name private
• Only share what you feel comfortable with
• Don’t share your full address, school name or daily routines, or any other things personal to you
• Ask yourself “Would I be happy for a teacher, parent, or future employer to see this?”
• Stay respectful and avoid posting anything that could be seen as offensive, unkind, or too personal, as it can be hard to delete things forever once they’re online, even though you can delete your account
• If your account is public to raise more awareness for your fundraising, make sure you’re happy and comfortable with who’s following you
• Don’t feel bad about blocking or removing followers
• You can also get your parent or guardian to run your account or help you with content, replying to comments and monitoring your followers

Student Traveller Inspiration

We thought we would share some accounts who we feel have done a great job sharing their fundraising journey on social media!

Getting Crafty

Georgina is travelling to Borneo in 2025, and decided to take on lots of craft projects to raise her funds. She created an Instagram account called 3 Gen Crafts, and used it to promote the items she was making and selling.

We love the way that she took consistent photos of all her handmade jewellery, and showed a mix of close ups, market stall setups and people wearing her items.

She also mentioned her fundraising link in her bio, so that people could donate straight into her fund.

Safety was a key priority too, and we love the way she used a business name for the account and didn’t put her full name in the bio.

Graphic Design and Fundraising

Paige is travelling to Peru in 2026, and decided to create an Instagram account called NoDramaLLama26 to promote her fundraising efforts of cycling the length of Peru over 78 weeks, and climb the altitude of Machu Picchu in 10 days.

Instead of posting photos of her updates, she instead created a feed made up of graphic design posts, each showing how close she is to reaching her goal and what activity she achieved that week.

The colours stand out amazingly, and even though the graphics show a lot of information, they all work cohesively together to tell her story. In each caption, she explains more about how the challenge went that day, and so far she’s managed to raise an amazing £1,885 towards her expedition!

We love that she did something different and used colour and illustrations to document her journey. It definitely makes it stand out from the crowd!

Showing Your Fundraising Efforts

Lacie is travelling to Tanzania in 2026, and decided to create an Instagram account, lacie_tanzania_expedition.2026, to document her fundraising journey and promote all the different activities she was taking part in to reach her target.

We love the way she showed the mix of activities she’s been doing, including uploading to pre-loved clothing websites, car boot sales and making beaded jewellery and custom clothing.

She also noted that her Instagram page has helped her to share her story, and she was inspired to create it by other students travelling with Camps. She told us that the page has helped her visualise her journey and see how far she’s come, and she can’t wait to finally get out to Tanzania in 2026.

What to Do with Your Fundraising Instagram Account After Your Trip

A great way to round off your expedition and fundraising account is to post about your experience once you’re home. This can include photos and videos from your expedition, and a summary post – or a few summary posts – about how you found the experience and what you got up to whilst you were there.

This is a great way to update everyone about your return, and to show your sponsors and followers where their money went whilst you were fundraising.

It’s a lovely full circle moment for both you and the people that supported you along the way!

Your Journey, Your Voice

You don’t need thousands of followers or likes to be a content creator. If you’ve created content and posted it on social media, you’re already there! You also don’t need lots of followers or likes to make an impact on others and fundraise for your expedition, just sharing your journey and genuine passion can go a long way.

Every post helps tell a bigger story — and it’s all part of the adventure! Remember that it’s a great tool for edging closer towards your overall fundraising goal, but it’s also not worth becoming stressed over to keep updated every day.

There are also plenty of social media fundraising resources on the Traveller Gateway!

Isaac’s Fundraising Journey

Isaac is preparing for his expedition to Peru, fuelled by a personal mission.

Having grown up with epilepsy, he has chosen to use his fundraising journey to not only support his trip but also give back to Young Epilepsy, a charity that has played a crucial role in his life. His target of £5,000 will be split between his expedition costs and this vital cause.

To raise funds, Isaac has taken on a series of running challenges, that test his resilience and push him out of his comfort zone. He’s been participating mostly in Parkruns, which are a great way to get out and meet new people while pursuing your fitness challenges. He’s also started an Instagram account to track his fundraising progress, runningtoperu. So far he’s raised over £2,300!

Parkrun is a global health and fitness movement where people come together to run, walk, or jog five kilometres every Saturday morning. There are currently 1,286 different locations held across the UK.

Ollee’s Fundraising Success

Ollee, who is set to travel to Ecuador in 2026, has also embraced fitness-based fundraising to work towards his goal. He organised a high-energy Zumbathon event, bringing the community together for a day of dance and fun.  

To maximise his fundraising efforts, he combined the event with a raffle and car wash, raising an incredible £1,200! Combining events is a great way to appeal to more attendees and gain more momentum with your fundraising. Not stopping there, Ollee also completed a sponsored cycling challenge over half term, proving that determination and fitness can go hand in hand and help you on your fundraising journey. 

Harlie’s Fundraising Challenge 

Harlie is preparing for her expedition to Kenya and to prove her dedication, she has committed to walking 2,141 miles over twelve months, the equivalent of walking around the border of Kenya. 

That’s nearly six miles every day! She tracked her progress on Facebook, keeping supporters engaged and motivated to donate. Using social media is a great way to keep your sponsors, friends and family up to date on how your fundraising journey is going, and inspire other people to try similar challenges to you. 

Alongside this, Harlie has organised bake sales and raffles to boost her fundraising total, demonstrating resilience and creativity in her approach. 

Arthur’s Fitness Fundraising 

Arthur has taken on multiple activities in his fundraising journey for Ecuador 2026 so far, and because of his athletic background, he started to focus on sports and fitness fundraising to change the game. He started by refereeing grassroot football matches at his local club, but decided to take on the bigger challenge of a 40km-walk across London to 6 of the Premier League clubs: Brentford, Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham. 

He created an Instagram account to document the journey, and received support from other people and groups linked to Ecuador. He kept everyone updated on his progress both before and during the walk, and has managed to raise over £2000 so far in just 4 months. He even met one of his followers during the challenge, which gave him the motivation to keep on going when the going got tough. 

His love of sports such as football, rugby and volleyball helped him with the dedication – and the fitness – to be able to complete the 7-hour walk. He told us that having a plan-B if things don’t go to plan is always important when doing such a big fitness challenge outside, but seeing the different stadiums and the Olympic Rings at the end of the walk was something he would always remember. 

Jack’s Triathlon Fundraising 

Jack’s fitness fundraising was inspired by his dad, who often takes part in trail runs, marathons and triathlons. To raise money for his Borneo expedition in 2025, he decided to undertake a triathlon and 6.6-mile trail run, which were his first ventures into competitive fitness. 

He promoted the events and his fundraising link on LinkedIn through the help of his dad, which he found worked well for both the motivational comments and people’s willingness to donate to his target. The trail run was his favourite, as he loved the woodland course and the challenges it brought.  

Through the promotion on LinkedIn, he managed to raise an amazing £1200 before and during the trail run and £1000 for the triathlon. He also raised another £2400 through company sponsorship and generous donations, showing that fitness fundraising coupled with other activities and social promotion can get you well on your way to your target! 

His advice to others was that consistency was key, and that posting behind the scenes content like training photos was a great way to help others feel involved.  

Connie’s Fundraising Activities 

Connie is currently preparing for her expedition to Borneo, which she knew she would love from the moment Camps came to present at her school. 

To begin with, she started off with smaller active tasks like cleaning local dancefloors at wedding venues and walking friends and neighbours dogs, but she knew she had to pull out all the stops to reach her target. 

As a big West Ham and football fan, she decided to complete a sponsored walk between the Brentford FC in West London to the West Ham FC home ground, The London Stadium, in East London. That’s over 27 miles! She used her social media to raise awareness for the walk, and to ask for shares and donations as she completed the challenge. 

She has managed to raise an amazing £900 from the walk alone, which shows that if you persevere and put your mind to a fitness challenge, it can get you much further towards your fundraising goal. 

Overcoming Challenges 

Fundraising through physical challenges isn’t always easy, but Isaac, Ollee, Jack, Athur and Connie’s and Harlie’s journeys show that dedication pays off. 

From organising large-scale events to completing personal fitness milestones, all six have had to plan, promote and persevere through setbacks. 

They’ve learned valuable skills such as budgeting, event coordination and community engagement – all of which will benefit them on expedition and beyond. 

Why Fitness and Fundraising Work So Well 

Fitness challenges are a great way to engage supporters, as they allow friends, family and even local businesses to rally behind a clear goal. 

Whether it’s through sponsorships, event participation fees or donation drives, these activities create a sense of involvement and excitement. 

Plus, the personal growth that comes from taking on physical challenges mirrors the resilience and determination needed for an expedition. 

Advice for Future Fundraisers 

Inspired by any of our student travellers successes? 

Here are some top tips to get started on your own fitness-based fundraising journey: 

• Choose a challenge that excites you – whether it’s a marathon, a dance event or a sponsored hike. 
• Get your community involved – events like Zumbathon and car washes attract local support and increase donations. 
• Use social media to spread the word – share progress updates and encourage people to sponsor your efforts. 
• Keep pushing yourself – fundraising is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay motivated and keep trying new ideas. 

By blending passion, fitness and fundraising, students like Isaac, Ollee, Harlie, Arthur, Jack and Connie are not only achieving their goals but also making a real impact. 

Could this be the approach that works for you? 

Get started today and turn your fitness journey into a fundraising success! 

Melody’s Fundraising Efforts

Inspired and determined, Melody took a creative, business-minded approach to fundraising. She joined the Camps International Fundraising Advice Group on Facebook to brainstorm and from there, she launched a variety of initiatives to reach her goal.

Here’s a closer look at her inventive fundraising strategies:

T-shirt Sponsorship for Businesses:

Melody raised £1750 by selling ad space on her T-shirt, where she promoted local business logos. Through email and social media promotion, she secured support from companies in her area.

Take a look at Sam’s Fundraising Story for guidance on what to charge for your business sponsorships.

Online Sponsorship:

Setting up a Just Giving page generated £1705.73. This simple yet effective initiative allowed family, friends and her wider network to contribute directly to her cause.

Theatre Tuck Shop:

By running a tuck shop during her Saturday theatre classes, Melody expected to make £456.72 over the year. She sourced stock from wholesalers to increase her profit margin.

Selling Pre-loved Items:

By gathering unwanted clothes from family and friends, Melody raised £289.30 through Vinted and eBay sales.

Themed Notebooks:

Inspired by her friend, Melody designed and published themed notebooks on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), bringing in £83.68 so far.

Overcoming Challenges

Fundraising isn’t easy and Melody’s journey had its share of setbacks. But each challenge became an opportunity to learn and improve:

Daunting Target:

The goal of £5000 seemed overwhelming, but Melody broke it into smaller, achievable projects to stay motivated.

Balancing Costs and Profits:

Finding a sustainable profit margin was challenging. Registering with a wholesaler improved Melody’s return on the tuck shop, but she learned it took patience and persistence.

Event Planning Lessons:

Not every fundraiser went as planned. A car boot sale, for example, drew fewer buyers than expected. Melody quickly realised the importance of researching her audience to align her efforts more effectively.

Highlights and Achievements

Beyond the funds raised, Melody’s fundraising journey has given her lasting memories and valuable skills.

Community Support:

Melody’s friends, family and local businesses have been incredibly supportive, encouraging her throughout the process and making the journey meaningful.

Learning Skills for Life:

From financial management to event planning, Melody has gained valuable skills that she knows will serve her well during her Borneo expedition and beyond.

Building Confidence:

With each successful fundraiser, Melody is not just inching closer to her financial goal but also feeling a growing sense of accomplishment and excitement for the adventure ahead.

Advice for Future Fundraisers

Drawing from her experience, Melody has some advice for those embarking on their own fundraising journeys:

Stay Focused and Flexible:

Raising a large sum can be overwhelming, but perseverance is key. If one idea doesn’t work, try another.

Think Like a Business:

Treat fundraising like running a small business—track profits, keep detailed financial records and use social media to promote your cause.

Have Fun:

Not every initiative will be a big money-maker, but it’s important to enjoy the process and see each experience as a learning opportunity.

Melody is excited for the adventure ahead and proud of her fundraising journey. She looks forward to the skills and experiences awaiting her in Borneo.

The Start of the Journey

When Harvey started this journey as a new sixth-form student, balancing A-levels and fundraising seemed daunting. He knew it would be a challenge, but Harvey managed his time well and stayed committed, planning his days to fit in both studying and fundraising.

His experience fundraising taught him how to prioritise tasks and manage his time better. These skills not only helped him reach his fundraising goal but also improved his schoolwork. Through this journey, Harvey has learned about his ability to work hard and stay strong, preparing him well for future challenges.

Diverse Fundraising Efforts

Harvey took on various local jobs like babysitting, landscaping, interior design and litter picking. These jobs not only helped him earn money but also allowed him to build a network within his community. Additionally, he built his personal brand by wearing campaign materials at events like weekly parkruns to raise awareness about his expedition.

Harnessing the Power of PR

Understanding the power of PR, Harvey connected with social media and marketing professionals to amplify his message. This collaboration was crucial in reaching a wider audience and gathering more support. It highlighted the importance of leveraging media to boost fundraising efforts and create a compelling narrative around his cause.

A Fulfilling Project

One of Harvey’s most fulfilling projects was transforming a new build garden into a sustainable and inviting space. With donated materials, he designed and executed a garden that promoted eco-friendly practices. Completing the project for £2000, Harvey managed costs efficiently and took home 80% of the earnings, further fuelling his Cambodia Trek Expedition fundraising. This project not only helped him raise funds but also allowed him to make a positive impact on the environment.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

In addition to traditional fundraising, Harvey pursued entrepreneurial ventures. One standout project was repurposing old, pesticide-free pallets into unique planters for herbs and flowers. Each planter cost £5 to make and sold for £45, showcasing sustainability and innovation. Another successful venture was “Revise Pro,” where he created revision packs for £20 each to help students excel in their studies. These initiatives significantly contributed to his fundraising and reinforced his commitment to sustainability and education.

Advice for Aspiring Fundraisers

Harvey believes that fundraising is challenging and may not yield consistent results, but persistence and initiative are key. He encourages aspiring fundraisers to keep pushing forward, believe in their cause, stay dedicated and not be afraid to think outside the box to achieve their goals.

Harvey says that this journey wouldn’t have been possible without the help and encouragement from his friends, family and community. Their belief in his mission kept him motivated and determined to succeed.

His Cambodia Trek Expedition is now within reach and Harvey is excited to embark on this adventure, knowing that he has worked hard and earned every step of the way.

How did our students raise £31,881?

By signing up to easyfundraising and signing all their family members up too. easyfundraising partners with over 8,000 online shops, so you can earn free cashback whenever someone you know buys something online. This could be anything from their weekly food shop, buying clothes, something for the home, booking a holiday, train tickets, renewing insurance and more. And, like we said earlier, it’s completely free.

How does it work exactly? 

It’s Friday night, and Mum or Dad says, we’re having pizza for dinner. Instead of visiting the Domino’s website, if they went to the easyfundraising website or app first and then went to the Domino’s website and ordered, you would receive cashback. Because Domino’s knows you’ve visited their site through easyfundraising, the two large pizzas, wedges, and dessert would give you £1.09 towards your expedition.

But why is it free?

Retailers want to be part of something meaningful by contributing to people, communities, and students like you who are committed to doing meaningful and sustainable project work. They offer a flat cashback amount or a percentage donation on every online purchase through easyfundraising.

Is it really worth signing up?

See for yourself. Here are some of the top achievers from 2023:

• Rebecca P has raised £1,391.25 so far with the help of eight supporters.
• Taylor T has raised £1,156.73, backed by seven supporters.
• Freya B has raised £857.22 supported by 15 of her friends and family, and she still has over a year to raise even more!

About Anna Gibson

Anna has helped students reach their fundraising goals for over 7 years. From one-to-one mentoring to webinars and tailored planning, she continues to empower young people to fundraise their full trip costs with confidence. Since joining easyfundraising in 2021, Anna has helped students raise over £2 million using the platform — making big adventures possible, one pound at a time.

Here are some notable UK brands known for their CSR initiatives:

Unilever:

Unilever is committed to sustainability and social responsibility. Their Sustainable Living Plan focuses on improving health and well-being, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing livelihoods.

Marks & Spencer:

Marks & Spencer is recognized for its sustainability efforts. They have set ambitious goals related to reducing carbon emissions, waste, and water usage, as well as promoting sustainable sourcing and ethical practices.

Tesco:

Tesco, a major supermarket chain, focuses on community engagement, sustainable sourcing, reducing food waste, and promoting healthy living. They have initiatives like the Tesco Community Food Connection and the Bags of Help programme.

Lloyds Banking Group:

Lloyds Banking Group is involved in various CSR initiatives, including support for mental health through their partnership with Mental Health UK and community projects through the Lloyds Bank Foundation.

Barclays:

Barclays has a strong focus on sustainability and social impact. Their initiatives encompass climate action, financial inclusion, skills development, and community support through programmes like Barclays LifeSkills and Barclays Eagle Labs.

Sainsbury’s:

Sainsbury’s has commitments to reduce environmental impact, minimise waste, and support local communities. They actively engage in charitable activities through the Sainsbury’s Local Charity scheme.

BT Group:

BT is committed to reducing carbon emissions and promoting digital inclusion. Their CSR efforts include initiatives to support education, improve digital skills, and contribute to a circular economy.

Vodafone:

Vodafone focuses on sustainability and social development. They have initiatives related to digital connectivity, digital inclusion, and improving the environmental impact of their operations.

Aviva:

Aviva, a leading insurance company, is involved in community engagement and sustainable practices. They have initiatives like the Aviva Community Fund and the Aviva Foundation, which support various community projects.

John Lewis Partnership:

John Lewis Partnership, which includes John Lewis and Waitrose, emphasises sustainability, responsible sourcing, employee well-being, and community involvement. They have ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions and waste.

These are just a few examples, and many other companies in the UK prioritise CSR and sustainability as part of their business strategies. For the most up-to-date and detailed information about their CSR initiatives, you can visit the respective company websites and explore their sustainability or CSR sections.

Don’t forget to acknowledge any sponsorships and follow the following advice when approaching companies:

• Be clear about your cause
• Highlight the benefits for them
• Express gratitude

More detail is included in: Securing Raffle Prizes for your Fundraising

About Anna Gibson

Anna has helped students reach their fundraising goals for over 7 years. From one-to-one mentoring to webinars and tailored planning, she continues to empower young people to fundraise their full trip costs with confidence. Since joining easyfundraising in 2021, Anna has helped students raise over £2 million using the platform — making big adventures possible, one pound at a time.

Got everything in place?  Don’t forget to read the blog article on ‘Securing Raffle Prizes for your Fundraising’ to really make the most from your event.

About Anna Gibson

Anna has helped students reach their fundraising goals for over 7 years. From one-to-one mentoring to webinars and tailored planning, she continues to empower young people to fundraise their full trip costs with confidence. Since joining easyfundraising in 2021, Anna has helped students raise over £2 million using the platform — making big adventures possible, one pound at a time.

Entertainment Venues:

Movie theatres, amusement parks, or entertainment venues might provide tickets or vouchers for their facilities as raffle prizes.

Museums, galleries, local tours, or sports venues:

They often provide tickets or passes as raffle prizes to support community events and individuals.

Beauty and Spa Services:

Salons, spas, or beauty service providers might offer vouchers for services as raffle prizes.

Local Artists or Crafters:

Artists, crafters, or artisans in the community may donate their creations as raffle prizes.

How to approach these companies for free raffle prizes:

Be Clear About Your Cause:
Clearly articulate about your expedition and how your contribution to in-country project work is going to make a difference. Also, give them details on your event, and how their support would contribute to you achieving your target.

Top Tip: Don’t forget to look at the Camps International Project Report filled with information on the projects you might be getting involved in.

Highlight Benefits for Them:
Emphasize the visibility and positive exposure their business will receive through acknowledgment at the event, on promotional materials, or on social media.

Express Gratitude:
Regardless of the outcome, express your gratitude for their consideration and any support they provide.

Remember to follow up with the companies and keep them informed about the success of your event and how their contribution made a difference. Building relationships and showing the positive impact of their support can lead to continued and expanded support in the future.

Millie’s Top Tips:

• Recipes containing egg will reduce the shelf life of dog biscuits.
• Dogs seem to love peanut butter but make sure it does not contain Xylitol. Make sure you find a good version that excludes this ingredient.
• Millie shopped at ALDI to help ensure she was sourcing her ingredients for the best possible price!

Millie has been using a variety of channels to sell her dog treats and has embraced various special events such as Christmas and the Coronation to maximise sales. Here are some highlights:

• Millie’s first social media post got over 50 orders!
• A local café sells around 30 bags per week on Millie’s behalf.
• For Christmas, Millie created advent calendars and made customised Christmas baubles filled with dog treats.
• Millie kept the cost of her dog treats to £1 per bag – making them affordable to buy and try.

Millie has so far made £476 from this fundraising activity and has also diversified on her dog themed fundraising making bandanas and bows for the Coronation raising an additional £275.

Community Social Events

From Quiz Nights, Steak Nights to Zumba fun, Millie and other members of her expedition team used the power of bringing friends, family, and the local community together to help raise funds for their expedition.

The Quiz Night
Posters were put up around the village to advertise the evening and Facebook was used to spread the word. 10 questions for each 6 question rounds were created and Millie’s dad was recruited to be the quizmaster.  A cake sale and raffle (from prizes donated by local businesses) helped maximise the takings on the night.  A collective total of £388 was raised.

Steak Night
Millie and her friends joining on the expedition team held a steak night at the local Men’s Working Club. Tickets were sold for £15, and the venue took £5 for the cost of the food. The event made £600 between them.

Zumbathon
Millie and her friends danced away to raise another £120 towards their expedition to Borneo.

Millie’s Top Tip: Start advertising early to get more people to join in.

Millie provided us with a full list of events and activities that she has been doing. We hope this gives you more inspiration!

1. Regular car-washing for family and friends – £330
2. Car boot sales – £260
3. Quiz night including raffle – £388 (between the 6 girls on the expedition team)
4. Cake sales at football matches – £171
5. Gained sponsorship – £575
6. Made and sold dog biscuits – £476
7. Made dog bandanas and bows – £275 (made a lot for Coronation bows and bandanas)
8. Sold items at Christmas fayres – £44
9. Odd jobs for grandparents etc – £116
10. Tutoring younger children in Maths – £40

Challenges

We all know that organising events can present challenges and it’s how we address these that counts.  Millie found the hardest month to raise funds was in January.  Her top piece of advice is to make the most of Christmas sales and use January to do activities such as car washing and car boot sales.

Millie is looking forward to…

Millie is looking forward to opening her eyes to different lifestyles and stepping into a different culture. She is also very excited about learning to scuba diving!

From everyone at Camps, a huge shout out to Millie for her wonderful fundraising efforts so far and here’s to your countdown as you edge towards Borneo 2024; a trip that will be incredibly well deserved!

Not everyone came back with a positive response but everyone that replied and donated added another boost for morale and encouraged Marcus to keep working on contacting more businesses.

Top Tip: Marcus designed a sponsorship t-shirt. He will take the t-shirt with him to Costa Rica to promote the businesses that have helped him get there, giving those businesses more publicity.

As well as financial sponsorship, Marcus received support from the businesses he contacted in lots of other ways! He received:

• A free bike service from his local cycle centre to support him on his cycle challenge.
• A 12-month membership to the local Leisure Centre.
• Free printing for his sponsorship t-shirt.

Marcus raised a total of £2650 just from business sponsorship for his bike ride, including some grants.

Grants

Marcus also did some research and applied for multiple grants that turned out to be successful. He applied for a grant from the Rotary Club for himself and two of his friends that will be joining him on expedition.

• Howard Watson Symington Memorial Charity – £500
• Rotary Club – £150

Receiving the grant from the Rotary Club gave Marcus the opportunity to give a speech about their cause and why they applied. It also helped him with more publicity as the local radio and newspaper featured the event on their social media pages.

GoFundMe Page

Setting up a GoFundMe page was vital in helping receiving donations and publicising why Marcus was fundraising.  His mum helped set up the page on his behalf and they also added all offline donations to their GoFundMe page so everyone could see how Marcus was tracking against target.  Marcus and his Mum shared the page and added updates on all the fundraising activities.

Top Tip: The GoFundMe page was a great way for people to send donations if they didn’t have cash to hand after Marcus had completed jobs such as gardening, mowing lawns and washing cars for them.

Marcus raised over £1200 from donations from friends, family and people he didn’t know.

How did Marcus advertise his gardening and car washing services?

1. Created a leaflet and posted it to all the houses on his estate. It detailed why he was fundraising and how people could support him.
2. Advertised on his estate’s Facebook page

Additional Fundraising Activities

Marcus did a variety of other fundraising activities to help him reach his target.

• Selling and packing greeting cards.
• Leaflet drop for a local estate agent.
• Selling beaded jewellery and sweet cones. Top Tip: Buy sweets at wholesale – Marcus’s local news agent helped him purchase the sweets saving him money on bulk purchasing.
• Holding a raffle.

Top Tip:  Don’t forget to negotiate your exhibitor fee at craft fairs and events.  If the organisers know why you are fundraising, then they might just give you a discount on your stall price.

Extra Publicity

Through Marcus’s fundraising efforts he has managed to secure an article in the local newspaper and appeared on air in his first ever radio interview.

Listen to his radio debut on HFM covering his amazing efforts to fundraise for charity trip.