Extreme endurance events
Marathon? Meh. That’s a walk in the park for some of the hardcore extreme fundraisers out there. There are more elaborate and challenging options if a supporter is willing to push themselves to their physical limits. The Enduroman Arch to Arc challenge is a good example.
It involves an 87-mile (140km) run from Marble Arch, London to the coast at Dover, then a swim to Calais, followed by an 181-mile (290km) bike ride to the Arc de Triomphe.
Freddie Iron was the 23rd person to complete the challenge and he used his efforts to raise funds for cancer charity Macmillan. Iron and his support team (boosted by Macmillan’s social media following) built up an audience for the challenge, using a personal blog to detail the training involved and live tracking Iron’s progress as he swam the channel. Iron’s final total reached an impressive £35,000.
The Enduroman website also offers a range of ideas for the serious fundraising athlete, called ultra events. They involve variations on triathlons including relays and ultra runs of 200, 100 and 50 miles.
If your supporters fancy something more challenging, it would appear only one person has successfully completed a Tri-llama-thon – an excellent fusion of the much-loved endurance event a triathlon, with the middle leg (usually a swim) being replaced by a llama walk.
Gameathons
The gaming community love a bit of friendly competition, and the endurance challenge of playing hour after hour. Gameathons, often lasting 24 hours, involve teams or individuals (in relay) playing video or computer games against one another. A recent fundraising gameathon raised more than £3,000 at Newcastle University, and attracted 150 competitors. Along with dozens of games consoles, the event organised by the Newcastle University computing and technology society included a raffle, a quiz and snacks for sale.
When planning, think about which game you’d like to challenge participants with and how you will set up and borrow the necessary equipment. Then you need to start targeting any social media hashtags gamers may follow, and trawl some relevant online forums to boost interest. If you’re in need of inspiration check out Gaming for Others, a group which have established themselves as long-term charity-gamers, raising money for Special Effect, a charity which uses technology to enhance the lives of children with disabilities.
Stargazing
Why not set up a community stargazing event? Stargazers from York Astronomical Society raised £1,800 when they put on an event to reveal the wonders of the moon in aid of Haven Breast Cancer Support.
Build interest by organising it to coincide with a meteor shower or simply by revealing how the stars we see vary from month-to-month. You could team up with a local university astrophysics department or find out if there is an amateur with a telescope among your charity’s supporters. But you don’t necessarily need advanced equipment, you could host it (for a small donation) in a back garden on a clear evening and lay on some hot chocolate. You can spot stars and space stations with a range of affordable or free smartphone apps. You could even ask supporters to share their findings on social media – and turn it into a wider, more interactive live event.
Alternative racing
This idea isn’t new, but it’s a great way to give an event a focal point. Ferret racing, sheep racing, guinea pig racing – you get the picture, people love to watch animals run. Ensure your race won’t distress or trouble the animals involved by seeking advice (and indeed, the animals) from a local animal association or a nearby farmer.
But making the most out of these events is not just about setting up a few bets for the race itself or an entry fee – consider what else you could build around the occasion. There’s significant opportunity for fundraising if you turn it into a wider event, you can offer spaces for stalls or a car boot sale alongside the race.
Frisky bingo
Combine a bit of old school charm with a classic pastime, and put on a bingo night with a twist. Bingo nights are attracting new audiences by offering a more rebellious approach to the traditional legs 11 and other bingo-lingo. Ideas range from integrating drag and burlesque performances into the game, to creating your own topical bingo cards.
Traditional bingo kits are relatively affordable (ranging from a cheap amateur set at around £5 right up to £150 for something more professional) and it’s all about ensuring you have a charismatic caller. And if you’re appealing to an older demographic, you could organise a vintage bingo night with a nostalgic theme.
Has your charity recently held an unusual fundraising event? What was the idea behind it? Was it effective? Share your tips and experiences in the comment section below.
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