Fundraising is an integral part of the Transform experience, and we are constantly bowled over by the efforts of teams and how imaginative they can be!
We recently held THE GREAT TRANSFORM CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER 2011: various former teams took up the task of taking on one of the following five challenges over the festive period:
- Food - we will be having it in abundance, but not everyone does. Take on the rice and beans challenge before/after your Christmas dinner comes along. Get people to sponsor your efforts.
- New stuff - we're not asking you to give up your presents, but we are suggesting you make some space. Organise a clothes swap in your home at some point over the festive season; ask your friends to bring 3 items each round, charge them a certain amount to enter, and you'll all walk away with something different.
- Home comforts - by now you'll have had various conversations with friends about what your family does at Christmas (or, in other words, how Christmas is done 'properly'!). What happens if one of these home comforts is taken away? Take the water challenge and live on 10 litres for a week.
- Noise - You've been singing carols in the shower for 7 days running and every other word you say is 'Santa'. Time to pipe down. Engage in a 48-hr sponsored silence. That includes talking on your phone!
- Celebrating - we all believe that there is a lot to celebrate at Christmas time - that's the whole point! Doubtless you will be planning to have a work/friends Christmas party, so invite everyone to come to yours instead of the local pub/restaurant and make it a ticketed event. Get friends and family to donate the drinks and food for the evening. Alternatively, do a cake sale at church - a sure winner!
They are busy compiling their thoughts on their experiences, so check back soon for some reflections!
The Transform team got involved too, and undertook the rice and beans challenge in early January 2012. We raised over £2000... you can do it too!
Follow this link for more advice on how to go about fundraising.