Do it for the BTF!

By choosing to raise money for the BTF you'll be making a difference to thousands of people living with thyroid disorders across the UK.

Raising funds can be fun and challenging. Here are a few points to consider before you start:

• brainstorm your ideas with friends and agree on something that seems realistic
• set yourself a fundraising target
• allow time to prepare and promote your fundraising activities 

You can raise funds in all sorts of ways - here are a few ideas:

• cake stall, coffee morning, or BBQ round a sporting event
• sponsored beard or moustache growing (or losing) challenge
• clear the attic or garage and hold a car boot sale
• hold a clothes swap party or fashion show and ask for an entrance fee
• sporting challenge - walk, run, swim, skydive, cycle, bungee, or golf competition
• hold an online gaming event, quiz night, tombola, or raffle

How to maximise your fundraising

Online fundraising

Once you've decided how you are going to fundraise you can set up your own fundraising page on our secure fundraising platform. Your supporters can donate quickly and easily with a credit or debit card and the money raised comes straight to us. If your supporters are UK taxpayers they can also opt to GiftAid their donation. Use photos, add a story and your fundraising target and then you can let all your friends and family know about your challenge by sharing your fundraising page. You can even add it to your email signature and social media profile.

Match funding

Ask if your workplace offers match funding. It might be a great way to boost the money you've raised and provides an extra incentive to all your supporters.

Top tips to increase donations

• remind people again about your fundraising event
• if you're doing a sporting challenge, think about organising a sweepstake on your finishing time - you can give a small prize to whoever has the closest guess!
• do your event in fancy dress, or colour your hair for extra attention and pledges
• keep your fundraising page open after your event for a month or so, especially if you've shared photos and details of your challenge - 20% of people donate at this time

Sending in the funds you raise

The sooner you're able to send in the funds you raise the sooner we can use the money to help people with thyroid disorders.

The most secure way to raise funds is to ask your supporters to use your online fundraising page.

Cheques should be made payable to the British Thyroid Foundation and then posted to our office address. Cash or cheques made payable to you must be paid into your bank account and the full amount should be transferred to the BTF (either by cheque or bank transfer). 

If you wish to forward the money raised by bank transfer please get in touch for details.

All funds should be accompanied by details of your fundraising event, a contact name, email or postal address so we can identify and acknowledge your donation. Please do not send cash in the post.

Legal/Health & Safety considerations

When fundraising it's important to bear in mind a few things to ensure your plans are in line with legal and health and safety best practice.

• all publicity materials should state 'All proceeds/profits will go to the British Thyroid Foundation'
• events should be held 'In aid of the British Thyroid Foundation, registered charity no 1006391, SC046037'

Raffles are regulated and the only type of raffle that can be operated without a licence is one where tickets are sold and the prize draw is held on the same day. You cannot pre-sell tickets without obtaining a licence from your local council. You must do this directly with them.

For further information about fundraising for the BTF please contact us at [email protected]

The BTF is registered with the Fundraising Regulator