Our advice and tips on how to run your own fundraiser. If you have any questions, contact us at: myfundraiser@sja.org.uk
Set-up livestream
Twitch
How to set up a Twitch account
- Head to the Twitch website and select "Sign up"
- Create a username, password and enter your email address
- You will then be sent a verification email with a 6-digit verification code
- Once you have verified your email, you’ll be asked to pick a few interests in order to provide you with content that you’ll enjoy on Twitch
- Your account in now complete and you may begin streaming.
How to start streaming using your Twitch account
- Download the streaming software by selecting "Download here"
- This will take you to the Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) website. Follow the instructions to download the software specific to your PC or Mac
- Accept or change the video settings according to you preference
- Copy you Primary Stream Key Link from your Twitch account when prompted. Paste this into the OBS software
- Apply the settings and you are ready to stream
- Select the profile icon in the top right corner to go the Creator Dashboard. Here you will find videos full of tips for first time streamers.
Instagram (mobile only)
- Go to the app and select the camera icon in the top left corner of the screen
- Swipe the camera options at the bottom of the screen until you get to the LIVE option
- Press the start button and your stream will begin.
Twitter (mobile only)
- Open the Twitter app and select the quill icon, as if you were writing a new tweet
- Click the camera icon
- Select the LIVE camera option
- You now have the option to add a description, location tag or invite a guest to go live with you
- When you are ready, select ‘Go LIVE’.
Mobile app
- Open the Facebook app. Near the status bar, there is a LIVE button
- Allow Facebook access to your camera and microphone if you haven’t done so already
- At the top left of the screen it will say "To". This is where you can control who can see your live video, whether you want to limit it to friends or make it public
- At the top right of the screen there are three dots. Select this for the option to add a donate button to your live stream for St John Ambulance. This means your audience can easily donate to us on your live stream without you having to set up a fundraising page on Just Giving or Give Penny
- You can now edit the description, add a location tag and a filter
- Click ‘Start Live Video’ to begin your live stream.
Desktop
- Visit the Facebook desktop site and select the status bar
- Click on the ‘Live Video’ button
- This will now take you to a Live Video Studio, where you can connect your camera and microphone, edit the video description and tag the game you are streaming
- Once you are all connected, you will be given the option to ‘Go Live’.
Online fundraising page
JustGiving
To set up a JustGiving page for your fundraiser follow these simple steps:
- Go to the St John Ambulance Virtual Fundraising Campaign page
- Click on ‘Fundraise for us’ then either log in or create your account
- Click on ‘Doing your own thing’ or ‘Taking part in an event’
- Fill in the details to create your page. Build up your page, remember to tell us why you are doing what you are doing, your motivation for support St John Ambulance, if you need help just ask on our team
- Share your page with your friends and tell them about your fundraiser
- Collect your donations
- Don’t forget to take photos and videos, and if you have your parent’s permission (or you’re over 13) why not share with friends and family using social media!
Don't forget to personalise your page with photos, videos, and the story of why you're fundraising for St John Ambulance.
JustTextGiving also gives people the option to make a donation via their mobile phone. Your individual JustGiving page allows you to create a unique text code - your supporters can text the code and the amount they want to give you to 70070.
Handy tips to make your online fundraising page extra special:
- Make your blurb personal – talk about why St John Ambulance’s work is important to you and why you’re raising money for us.
- Add photos and progress reports to keep people coming back to your page - they might even donate more money!
- Send thank you messages to your donors.
- Set yourself a high target on the page. This is statistically proven to increase donation amounts!
- Make sure people Gift Aid their donations.
Gift aid
Gift Aid is a very simple and effective way of giving money to charity. St John Ambulance can recover 25p from HM Revenue and Customs for every pound you give, on the condition that you are a UK tax payer. This is at no extra cost to you.
For example, if you donate £20 to St John Ambulance, we can claim an extra £5, making your gift worth £25.
‘Gifts’ including individual donations and sponsorship, can be gift aided.
More information
Gift Aid can only be applied to 'gifts'. Gift Aid can't be applied when an individual donor can't be traced, such as funds raised in a bucket collection. Gift Aid also can't be used to boost fundraising totals on activities where people have been charged an entrance fee, have made a purchase, or entered a competition.
In order for St John Ambulance to claim Gift Aid, it is vitally important that the donor completes a Gift Aid declaration on a sponsorship form.
In order to complete a Gift Aid declaration your donor needs to:
- complete their name (minimum surname and initial)
- complete their full home address and postcode on the sponsorship form, (St John Ambulance will not contact your sponsors)
- ask your sponsors to clearly write or print all their information
- clearly tick the Gift Aid box on the sponsorship form or online giving page.
Remember: you can't claim Gift Aid on a donation if the donor is gaining a benefit from giving you the money. For example, if they attended an event or if they took part in a raffle.
Give up something
Homemade activities
Get baking
Organise a homemade cake sale at work, school, or your sports club. An easy and delicious way to raise money!
Pamper party
Why not gather friends and family for a night-in of pampering? Ask them to donate to take part, get the face masks on and gossip the night away.
Themed parties
Gather your friends and family and host themed parties such as Christmas, Halloween, Bonfire Night or a summer barbeque.
Quenching that thirst
Host a coffee morning, cheese and wine evening, or a cocktail evening with your friends and family.
Games evening
Get your hands on Monopoly, create a quiz, play charades or get the cards out. Make it a marathon and see how long everybody lasts!
Talent competition
Get friends and family to perform their talent to an audience and a panel of judges. Who has got the X Factor?
Bad taste day
Who can fashion the most garish outfit? Get people to donate to take part.
Treasure hunt
This can be in the office or outside in the park. Local families and businesses can get involved too. Ask local businesses to donate items and hide them around the area.
Karaoke
Donate as a gift
Play your part
Step-by-step fundraising guide
5 steps to organising an event
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Find your fundraising idea
First things first, you’ll need to decide what kind of fundraising event you’d like to do. A great way to fundraise is to get others involved - we have lots of ideas of how you can fundraise at school or work.
If you’re unsure of what to do, take a look at our top fundraising ideas above or get in touch with us for more help and advice. We also have a free fundraising pack full of inspiring ideas.
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Get planning
After deciding on a date and venue, you’ll need to work out the best way for people to donate money, usually this is online. See our guide to setting up an online fundraising page above for more information on how to do this.
Also, it’s important to make sure your event is safe for everyone, so have a read of our advice on how to keep your event legal and safe below.
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Promote your event
Spread the word about your amazing fundraising event on social media. Share a link to your fundraising page on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Let people know why you’ve chosen to support St John Ambulance. Provide regular event updates, and make sure you tweet @stjohnambulance and like us on Facebook. You could even get in touch with your local press!
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Paying in
It’s important to make sure that the funds you raise are safely paid in. If you’re raising the money via an online fundraising page, such as JustGiving or Virgin Money Giving, the money will come directly to us.
Alternatively, you can find out other ways to pay in on our make a donation page.
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Well done and saying thank you
The final step - congratulate yourself on all your hard work! The money you raise will help us put our first aid trainers in schools, equip our volunteers, and run our ambulances.
Also, don't forget to thank all your wonderful supporters for their donations of time, money, and expertise.
Tips and tricks
Fundraising events tips and tr
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Talk to us
Get in touch as we'd love to hear your fundraising ideas, and we're happy to help in any way we can. We can send you our free fundraising pack which has lots of useful advice and materials to get you started.
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There's no need to go it alone
Getting some extra support from friends and family is always a good idea. They can help out in different ways, such as promoting your online fundraising page on social media, or helping out on the day of your event.
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Health and safety
If you’re organising an event, you need to make sure that all health and safety precautions are taken to keep everyone safe and avoid any accidents.
Read our advice on how to keep your event legal and safe below for more information.
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It's all about the cause
Make sure you let people know why you’ve chosen to support St John Ambulance – the more they know about our inspirational work, the more likely they are to support our cause.
Think about what makes St John Ambulance special to you. If you need a little inspiration, learn more about how your support saves lives.
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Create an online fundraising page
Set up an online fundraising page that you can share with your friends, family, and colleagues. It's simple and easy, and a great way to share why you're fundraising.
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Share it on social media
Tell people what you’re doing and why you're doing it by sharing a link to your online fundraising page on social media. Make sure to tweet @stjohnambulance, and like us on Facebook for advice and updates.
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Most of all, have a good time
Enjoy your event! Have fun baking cakes, singing karaoke, or whatever it is you’re doing. Let’s face it, you’re doing it for a good cause.
We love seeing what our wonderful fundraisers are up to, so be sure to share your fundraising activities on social media or your online fundraising page.
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Say thank you
After it’s all done, make sure you say thank you to everybody who helped and gave their support. You could send handwritten thank you cards or create an update on social media.
Legal and safety advice for fundraising events
Staying safe
Carry out a risk assessment before your event to ensure that everyone involved (staff, volunteers, participants, members of the public) stays safe. For further information on risk assessments, visit hse.gov.uk.
Your event must be covered by insurance. Arranging insurance for your event is your responsibility. St John Ambulance cannot provide insurance for your event. For more information please contact our Events team, email myfundraiser@sja.org.uk.
St John Ambulance cannot accept liability for loss, damage, or personal injury to yourself or anyone else as a result from your event, even when raising money for St John Ambulance.
Event venue
You need to make sure you have the right permissions to hold your event at its venue. If it is taking place on private property, you’ll need permission from the owner. If it is taking place on public property, you will need permission from your local authority.
If you’re planning to sell alcohol at your event, you will need to check if the venue has a license; if not, get in touch with your local authority.
Money collections
We’re happy to provide collection tins, however if you're collecting in the street or in a public place, make sure you have a local authority license.
Raffles and lotteries
There are certain rules and regulations you'll need to follow if you're planning to hold a raffle or lottery as part of your fundraising event. Please visit the Gambling Commission website for more information.
Food hygiene and allergies
Food hygiene is vitally important, especially around allergies. If you’re serving food at your event, make sure you’re aware of the possible hazards and how you are going to deal with them. Check out the Food Standards Agency for more information. You may also need to notify your local council.
