Fundraising - Basic Guidelines

Collecting Funds

You need a licence from your local authority to collect funds on the street or in a public place or by going from house to house.  It is illegal to collect funds in this way without a licence.  There are special rules about collection buckets.

Raffles & Lotteries

There are strict and complex laws relating to raffles and lotteries and you should ask the Charities Office for the latest information beforehand.  You need not register a small lottery/raffle with the local authority, provided is an incidental part of an entertainment, such as a bazaar, fete, dinner or sporting event.  Please do be aware that it is illegal for anyone under 16 to sell lottery/raffle tickets.

Events

Please ensure that your event is organised efficiently and safely.  We cannot accept any responsibility for your event nor for anyone who participates in it so make sure your are properly insured through a group or personal policy

You should conduct a risk assessment to ensure that you have proper plans for the safety of participants.  The Health & Safety Executive has further information (www.hse.gov.uk).

Please ensure that participants are fully briefed about the event, including (where relevant) any risks, fitness requirements, special equipment or clothing required and standards of behaviour expected.

Please ensure that your event is properly and adequately supervised. Where children are included, this includes:-

• Providing proper adult supervision

• Checking that the child’s parents/guardians have given their permission for their child to take part

• Carrying out appropriate background checks if adults are to have unsupervised  access to children.

Please also check with your local authority if you need any special licence, eg a public entertainment licence or licence to sell alcohol.

Gift Aid

Please ask donors/sponsors to sign a gift aid declaration.  This enables us (and higher rate tax payers) to claim tax back from the Government and increases the overall benefit to the charity.  Please contact mary.atkins@meht.nhs.uk for a form to be e-mailed to you - that's if you are not using Just Giving.

Fundraising Materials and Publicity

All of your fundraising should make it clear that you are fundraising in our aid but that you do not represent the charity.  We can provide you with fundraising material and to help generate interest in your activity/event.

Transfer of Funds

All funds collected should be sent to the charity within four weeks of collection.  Expenses must not be deducted from the sums collected unless you have approved this with us and provided us with a receipt.

For further help and advice about fundraising in aid of Mid Essex Hospitals, please contact Mary Atkins mary.atkins@meht.nhs.uk.