Hi and welcome to Better Fundraiser - Issue Number 8
The ezine from www.better-fundraising-ideas.com we hope you will find it interesting and useful. Tough times all around with constant economic doom and gloom. Whilst we struggle to slowly find a way out of the difficulties we find ourselves in the need for people to support schools and charities has never been more acute. It is comforting and inspiring to think however, that even in the bleakest of times people continue to find time and resources to support their favourite good causes.

Maybe in some ways at times when it can seem that so much is beyond our immediate control being involved in charity activity is actually empowering. We can be strong and say well this is what I am, and this is what I think and amongst everything that is going on this is the thing that is important to me...and I am going to do my best to help out....and what's more....I'm actually going to have as much fun as possible doing so.

I hope that's right anyway. When I look at my own life I know that running this website and the little bits that I do for my school PTA and other local and national charities are always amongst the most fun.

Neill Wilkins
www.better-fundraising-ideas.com

2 Ends of the scale

Firstly a fiend of the website Mark Greenfield. Mark is a very keen marathon runner and, in a moment of madness, signed up to undertake the Marathon de Sables.

This grueling feat of endurance lasting several days involves running 150 miles across the Sahara Desert. Mark is accompanied by running pal Keith, along with hundreds of other runners from all around the world.

This intrepid pair have, as well as undertaking some very serious training, pledged to raise money for Clic Sergeant a children's cancer charity. Mark runs his own shopfitting company and has been able to persuade all sorts of supplier and client companies (along with this website) to sponsor them. . Including donations from friends and relatives they have already raised over £12,000. You can find out more on their mini-website. Keith and Mark Run Across A Desert.com

Now if you are more the sort of person for whom the extent of your exercise regime is a trip to the kitchen for the biscuit tin here is a simple fundraising success story for you.

I have to declare an interest here. The young fundraiser in question is my own daughter Loveday. Inspired once more by UK fundraising festival Comic Relief which raises money for development projects in Africa she once more organised CakeFest. This simple fundraiser already has its own page on the website CakeFest

Ok fundraising on a much smaller scale but Loveday still managed to raise over £140 and we all had a great afternoon….and ate too many cakes!

London Olympics and Paralympics

What many commentators noted and something that was very evident was the fantastic contribution made to the London Games by the huge army of volunteers both at the stadium and across the city. They were fun, friendly, helpful and really up for a laugh. A great advert for the power of volunteering.

Do you like our new pictures?

They are all based on our "little man" getting up to all sorts of fundraising activities. We are really pleased with these and think that they really add to the friendly look of the website. We hope you agree.

These 2 are a couple of particular favourites but check out the others on the website when you have time.

Is there fundraising gold in them there hills?

This month we received an idea with a difference from a Metal Detecting Club. Apparently they are always looking for new places for club "search days". Their members will make a donation to a nominated charity to take part. Ok not everyone owns suitable land…but some people do and if you don't own it yourself you could always act as a go-between. There may be all sorts of clubs in your local area who might welcome an opportunity to use an appropriate piece of land for different activities. What ideas could you come up with?

More details here

Metal Detecting

Simple fundraiser - Lucky Birthdays

Ok it was never going to be a great money earner (although it did make a nice bit) but what people liked was seeing a new and novel idea rather than the same old fundraisers which can start to look a bit tired. We recommend you give it a go. Full details and some handy templates are available here Lucky Birthdays

Bake Sale Favourites: Anzac Biscuits

Anzac Biscuits are great any time of year and a perfect addition to a Bake Sale

This recipe makes approx 20 biscuits

Ingredients • 85g of porridge oats • 85g of desiccated coconut • 100g of plain flour • 100g of caster sugar • 100g of butter, plus a little bit more for greasing the baking tray • 1 tbsp of golden syrup • 1 tbsp of bicarbonate of soda or baking powder

Set your oven to 180c gas 4.

Put the porridge oats, desiccated coconut, plain flour and caster sugar in to a big bowl.

Add the bicarbonate of soda or baking powder to 2 tbsp of boiling water.

Melt the butter in a small pan and add in the 1 tbsp of golden syrup stir it till mixed in. Add the bicarbonate of soda or baking powder mix to the butter and golden syrup mixture.

Make a hole in the dry mix and add the butter and golden syrup mixture to it. Mix it until a ‘dough’ is formed, if your mix is too dry add some water to it but make sure you don’t add too much.

Grease 2 baking trays and make 18 to 20 balls of mixture. Put them on the baking trays flattening them as you do so. Leave room so they can spread out when they cook.

Put them in the oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, until golden crispy.

Cool on a rack before eating

Do you have a bake sale favourite?

Send the recipe in to us and we will try to include it either on the web site or in a future edition of Better Fundraiser.

Send Us Your Ideas

So if you have a good fundraising idea either that you have seen somewhere or done yourself please send it in.

Don't forget to include all the details of your idea. Lots of the people who visit our site are looking for ideas because they are "newbies" who suddenly find themselves on the fundraising committee of their school, church or local charity. They want all the details experienced "old hands" like yourselves can give them.

Of particular use are the little tips and wrinkles that make an idea (even a well known one) work that little be better. So please don't be shy. Your idea could end up helping a fundraiser the other side of the world. You can read other peoples ideas and send us your own (and photos if you have them) at this link. Your Ideas