FUNDRAISE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Want to raise money to support Headway Essex, but not quite sure where to start? Whether it’s your first time or if you are a regular fundraiser, it’s always nice to get some more inspiration, support and advice.

Auction or Auction of Promises

Hold your very own Antiques Road Show, Cash in the Attic or Auction of Promises. Promise to do someone’s washing for a week, prepare a romantic meal for two for your nearest and dearest, or anything else you can think of – then auction your promise for us. It’s a great way to raise funds at work too. You could agree to sort that dreaded cupboard, or make teas for a week!

Bake and book sale

Whether you are the next contender for The Great British Bake Off or have a library of books you’ve read… and reread, why not plan a Bake and Book Sale? You’ll be feeding the body and mind at the same time as fundraising.

Ball

Everyone enjoys the chance to dress up in posh frocks and DJs and party into the early hours. Maybe you could be inspired to theme your charity ball, then dress to impress and dazzle your friends. Or maybe you might want to attend Headway Essex’s annual ball listed on our events page.

Come dine with me

We all enjoy getting together over food and wine, so why not host a dinner party or even a simple supper asking guests to make a donation. Maybe run a raffle or theme the evening and food with prizes for the most amusing costume.

Carol singing

On the first day of Christmas…. or any other day after that…. rally your friends to carol sing in your locality or get permission to sing outside your local supermarket or in your local pub. Don’t forget the Santa hats and reindeer ears!

Dress down day

Ask the boss for permission to hold a dress down day at work …oh you are the boss! If casual is the usual dress code at your place of work, then theme it for fancy dress or “Hats for Headway”.

Dog walking

“Paws for thought”. Indulge your love of dogs, fresh air and exercise by walking people’s pets for them for a donation. Or organise your dog walking friends to get together for a group walk and ask your less active friends to sponsor you!   Prize for the owner who most resembles their pet!

Easter egg hunt

Calling all children and chocolate lovers. Why not organise an Easter Egg Hunt in your home or garden. You may find your local supermarket will “sponsor” the event by donating some eggs.

Fashion show

You don’t need to be a top model to strut your stuff. Ask friends to model and donate items of clothing and have a sale of all those items that have been hanging in wardrobes just waiting for that right moment to wear (which never happens!). You might find our downloadable fundraising guide useful for planning your event.

Food festival

You don’t have to hire a venue…. hold a food festival in your back garden or house and invite local producers, vegetable and fruit growers, cake bakers etc to sell their wares. Ask for a % of their takings, charge a nominal entrance fee and run a raffle.

Garden party

Host a garden party with stalls of Bric a brac, crafts, artwork, books, jigsaws, DVDs, cakes, burgers, children’s games, raffle etc. If you have a friend who is a local celebrity, ask them to open it.

Golf competition

Calling all golfers! Organise a golfing competition at your local club … or failing that at your local crazy golf or pitch and putt.

Halloween party

Wooooo! Do you enjoy spectres, spookiness, scary spine tingling and sheer terror? Bring on the pumpkin carving competition, bobbing for apples, most fearsome fancy dress. Your friends will “fang” you for a formidably frightening fundraiser.

Hats for Headway Essex

Have a Hats for Headway day at work or ask your children’s school to hold one. Charge a small amount to enter and judge who is head and shoulders above the rest to win a prize.

Ironman triathlon

Super heroes unite and enter the gruelling challenge of an Ironman Triathlon. You don’t have to be Robert Downey to compete… but it helps! Headway Essex has lots of challenge events you could participate in if you don’t quite fancy a triathlon just yet!

Inflatable fete

Put the bounce back in to fundraising with a collection of inflatables for little kids, big kids and really big kids! See who can stay upright the longest.

Jumble sale

Time to rummage in your drawers, cupboards, loft and garage and get friends to do the same. Hire the local church or village hall… and see how your items magically disappears before your eyes.

Jazz night

Do you know a local band that would play a gig in your local bar, pub or hall? Maybe add a ploughmans platter to the mix and have a great night and all that jazz. Our fundraising guide will give you some handy tips for planning your event.

Karaoke night

Love it or hate it…. and lots of people love it. Organise a karaoke night in your local pub or club. Charge entry and lose your inhibitions. Who knows, someone may have the X Factor.

Ladies night

Pamper, products, pedicures, prosecco and plenty of opportunities to have a little fritter. Invite stall holders to bring crafts, beauty products and treatments, jewellery, accessories etc and have a great girlie gathering.

Music gig

Perhaps you play in a band or know someone who does? Arrange a gig at your local club or pub and ask your friends to boogie on down.

Murder mystery

A great way to enhance a social evening is to introduce a bit of murder, mystery and mayhem. Mix it in with a dinner party or supper and see your friends hamming it up like never before.

Non-Uniform day

Do you have children at school or maybe you teach at one? If you apply to hold a non-uniform day you may have a little wait as it’s a popular fundraising event for many charities… but you’ll get to the top of the class eventually.

Office party

That time of the year many dread but others can’t wait for! Maybe ask to theme it this year and raise funds too.

Parachute jump

Whether you want to go it alone and train up for it, or go for the wiser option of a tandem jump, what is there to lose? Think how amazed and proud you will be when your feet touch terra firma. But if you’d prefer a more ‘feet on the ground’ challenge, check out our challenge events page.

Quiz night

Who doesn’t like a good quiz? Cutting to the Chase some might think they’re Pointless, but it’s no Big Deal. Ask your local pub or club or book the local hall… and let the Countdown begin.

Raffle

Ask your friends, colleagues, local shops and businesses to donate prizes and aim for a super top prize. Have a time frame so it’s not running on too long or attach a raffle to another fundraising event.

Shave your head/beard

Are you tired of your long locks or your bird’s nest beard? Get sponsorship and liberate yourself from that time consuming grooming!

Talent show

We know Britain’s got talent but has Essex? Of course it has, so why not plan a local talent show with entries for children and adults? Maybe the next Paul Potts or Pudsey are living right next door. For some really useful tips on running your event, download our fundraising guide.

Unwanted presents sale

Post Christmas blues getting you down? Too many presents you really don’t want? Hold a sale and invite friends along with theirs.

Vintage sale

Who doesn’t love a bit of retro? Still got those 1970’s hot pants? Clothes and collectables, china and costume jewellery will find a new home to love them.

Wine tasting evening

Local wine retailers are always happy to give advice and recommendations so why not hold a wine tasting evening… and add in a blind tasting for a bit of fun and competition. Hold a raffle too, with some of the bottles of the wines sampled as prizes.

Xmas jumper competition

Whether it’s Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman or Santa stuck up the chimney, who doesn’t love the eccentricity of a Christmas jumper. Have a competition at work to see who is at the top of the tree or the bottom of the stocking!

Yogathon

Are you a Downward Dog, Plank, Mountain, Triangle, Tree or Lotus fan? If so, a Yogathon might be just up your street. See if you can stretch to organising one at your gym, health club or class.

Zipline

Find your nearest local Zipline and whizz along with your friends to have some fun and get sponsorship.