Willow is the only national charity working with seriously ill young adults aged 16 to 40 to fulfil uplifting and unforgettable Special Days.

Make More Special Days Happen

Fundraising Guide

How your fundraising efforts can make a difference to someone’s Special Day

Contact the team on 01707 259 777, email fundraising@willowfoundation.org.uk or contact us via Facebook or Twitter. Designed by stonecreativedesign.com Charity no. 1106746

Could help a young family remember their dad by paying for a photographer to capture the precious memories of their Special Day.

Could pay for a recording session for a young musician recovering from throat cancer who never thought they’d sing again.

Could help a couple to renew their wedding vows to enable them to forget a terrible year of treatment and hospital visits and look forward to their future together.

Could pay for a young football fan with an incurable condition and his friends to see his heroes play at his last ever football match.

Could give a family of four time together again on a weekend away after their lives were turned upside down by cancer.

£1,000

£500

£250

£100

£50

About Willow

What is a Special Day?

Who Receives a Special Day

How it all Started

Willow is the only national charity working with seriously ill young adults aged 16 to 40 to fulfil uplifting and unforgettable Special Days.

Find out moreReceive our e-news each month or a printed newsletter twice a year. You can sign up on our website at willowfoundation.org.uk/sign-up

Every Special Day we provide is built around the individual beneficiary, so every Special Day is unique and different. Special Days enable beneficiaries and their family or friends to reconnect and refocus on each other while enjoying an activity of their choosing. A day for them, a day about them and a day that will create memories they will all treasure forever.

Any young person aged between 16 and 40 who has a serious illness and is resident in the UK can apply. Conditions include but are not limited to cancer, motor neurone disease, cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease. To date, Willow has provided more than 11,500 Special Days for young adults diagnosed with life threatening conditions. To learn more about a Special Day and the difference they make, watch the Willow film. This can be found at willowfoundation.org.uk

Willow was founded by former Arsenal goalkeeper and TV presenter, Bob Wilson and his wife Megs, in 1999. Willow is a lasting memorial to their daughter, Anna, who died of cancer aged 31. Anna’s love of life and the enriching experiences of her own Special Days were the charity’s inspiration. You’re Amazing

Thank you. By fundraising for Willow, you will be supporting seriously ill young adults like Andrew, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 19.

Follow us to hear more about Special Days and how you will make a difference:

@Willow_Fdn #SpecialDays facebook.com/willowfoundation

“The whole experience, from the first phone call to the actual day put a smile on my face. My confidence is coming back, my anxieties are fading and I’m feeling stronger and more positive every day. All of this is because of my Special Day so I really can’t thank you enough.”

Andrew

willowfoundation.org.uk/fundraisingideas

Get Inspired

Great ways to fundraise with friends, family and colleagues

Our Favourites

Celebrate

Challenge Yourself

We’ve got lots of ideas to get you started, including fundraising packs and downloadable tools for Take Time for Tea, Paint it Purple and lots more all designed to make fundraising as easy as possible.Visit willowfoundation.org.uk/fundraisingideas

Create more Special Days while celebrating your birthday, wedding, anniversary or any other special occasion. Willow can help with ideas and provide dedicated fundraising materials for this such as balloons, favours and donation envelopes.

Running shoes, walking boots, bikes at the ready! Take part in one of the many Willow challenge events. For more information visit willowfoundation.org.uk/challenge

Do you have a Will of Iron? Take part in the ultimate Triathlon. Sign up at willofiron.org

Rock & Roll Bingo

Bingo, but with music instead of numbers. Get your CD and cards at willowfoundation.org.uk/rock

Auction of Promises

Dance/Ball Dinner Party

Champagne Breakfast

Chill & Grill BBQ Party

Teddy Bears Picnic

Bake SaleCar

Boot Sale

Go

lf D

ay

Fashio

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w

Jail Break

Magic ShowPa

mp

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Party

Battle

o

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Band

s

Wine & Cheese Evening

Giv

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it up

Dress Down

Day

Superhero Day

Bath of Beans

Face PaintingCar Wash

Be Creative

Other Fundraising Ideas

We’re sure you’ll have plenty of fundraising ideas of your own. If you’d like to talk them through then feel free to contact the fundraising team. We’re here to help.

Step by Step Fundraising

All great fundraising starts with a great idea. You may already have something in mind which is fantastic! If not, don’t worry, we’ve included our favourite ideas in this pack. Plus you can find inspiration on our Willow Facebook page.

1 The Big Idea

Tell the fundraising team about your plans so we can support you. We have lots of fundraising materials and can offer advice to ensure your fundraising is a huge success.

Contact us on 01707 259 777 or via email fundraising@willowfoundation.org.uk

2 Tell the Team

Promoting your event will make the world of difference to its success. We have a PR guide available for you to download from our website.

Find it on our fundraising page:willowfoundation.org.uk/fundraisingideas

Guide includes:How to write a Press Release How to take perfect pictures at your event

3 Tell Everyone

The Willow team would love to see how your fundraising went.

Your stories and pictures could inspire others to fundraise and make even more Special Days a reality. Share pictures and events via email or on Facebook or Twitter (don’t forget to tag us in your posts and tweets)

4 After Your Event

The sooner we receive your funds, the sooner it will go towards creating Special Days.

By Cheque:Make payable to ‘Willow Foundation’ and send to:

Willow, Gate House, Fretherne Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 6NS

Direct to Bank:NatwestSort Code: 601018Account number: 88639886

Onlinewillowfoundation.org.uk/donate

5 Sending in Your Donations

In all cases, please make sure you put your name as a reference and let us know you’ve paid it in. Email fundraising@willowfoundation.org.uk or phone 01707 259 777

KEEP SAFE We want you to enjoy fundraising for Willow. We also want you and your guests to stay safe. Willow cannot be held responsible for your event. If you’re not sure about the safety or the legality of your plans, contact the team for advice or visit: www.doitforcharity.com/fundraising-advice

Signing up to Gift Aid simply means that the charity receives an extra 25p for every £1 you raise. You can sign up online here willowfoundation.org.uk/Gift-Aid

willowfoundation.org.uk/fundraisingideas

Set up a JustGiving page and email the link to everyone you know (and share it on Facebook or Twitter).Set up a page at justgiving.com/willowfoundation

Talk about Special Days at your events to remind people about the difference their donations will make. Take a look on Facebook for more Special Day stories.

Online Fundraising

Tell the Willow Story

Fundraising Tips

Double your donation by asking your employer if they will match what you raise, an easy way to boost your fundraising total.

Double Your Money

CHAMPIONS#SPECIALDAYS

Take Your Fundraising to the Next Level

Become a Willow Champion. For more information, visit willowfoundation.org.uk/willowchampions

Ian

“I did an ‘apprentice’ style fundraiser at work… our team was competing against three others to see who could raise the most.

I chose Willow because I received a Special Day when I was il l, so I know exactly what it would mean to someone else. The fundraising competition was good fun, the staff at Willow made sure it was easy for me and we raised over 500 which was bril liant!”

After his Special Day, Ian wanted to support Willow in his own way...

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