Introduction from our Chairman Page 4–5€¦ · • Community engagement • Marketing staff And...

provides over 5,000 online risk checks to people concerned about their vascular health

£256

funds information booklets sent to the homes of 1,000 sufferers and their families

£458helps us research six genes found in aortic aneurysms that will help save lives

YOUR CHALLENGE

Get 25 people (raising £20 each) walking, golfing or dancing for the Circulation Foundation

Fundraising can be a daunting challenge but with these three fun ideas and our event in a box, together we can make a real difference.

If we hit our 2014 target of 100 events, we could raise enough to fund a one year research programme!

CONTENTS

Introduction from our Chairman Page 4–5

Deciding on your event theme Page 6–9Strollathon Pages Page 6–7Danceathon Page 8Golfathon Page 9

Organising your event Page 10- our ten point action plan

To do list Page 18

3ORDER YOUR EVENT-IN-A-BOX NOW!

CALL 020 7869 6937 OR EMAIL [email protected]

VASCULAR DISEASE.As common as cancer and heart disease.Affects 4 million people in the UK. Accounts for 40% of deaths.And so much could be prevented through research and awareness.

JOIN OUR CAUSE.circulationfoundation.org.uk

4ORDER YOUR EVENT-IN-A-BOX NOW! CALL 020 7869 6937 OR EMAIL [email protected]

INTRODUCTION FROM OUR CHAIRMAN

Many thanks for requesting this Vascular Disease Week 2014 guide – we’re delighted you’re considering joining our efforts this coming year and very much appreciate your support.

Last year, over 130 events were held around the country, ranging from sponsored Strollathon’s, relay races and health checks, to local radio and TV features and flash mobs!

For this year, we’ve dropped the word awareness from our week to reflect a more serious intent to raise much needed funds. As you probably know, we are the only UK charity dedicated to vascular health, and a small one at that, so every bit of money you raise will make a huge impact.

Here’s just a few examples of what we’ve funded this year, thanks to generous donations and fundraising activities:

George Davies Visionary Award 2013 – this research investigates how limbs can be saved using cell therapy.

President’s Early Career Award 2013 - this study evaluates and optimises screening tests for foot disease in patients with diabetes, so fewer people suffer amputation.

28 information leaflets in print and online - explaining the various types of vascular disease; providing detailed information about medical procedures; or advice about how to reduce the risk of vascular disease. We also provide an online risk checker.



We’re currently campaigning for an amputation prevention service in every hospital, to reduce amputation rates and associated deaths.

Please, join our fundraising cause and pass the word on to other colleagues, friends or family who might want to run another event to compliment yours. Our target for 2014 is 100 events. Whilst we’ve suggested themes to help you, we welcome your ideas and can even create tailored posters to reflect your choice of event.

This guide will help you to plan your activity easily – we appreciate how busy you are. And back by popular support is our Event-in-a Box complete with balloons, bunting, t-shirts and more, to help your much appreciated efforts.

Please let us know what you’re doing so we can include your stories in our press activity – and do please ask for additional resources using the order form enclosed, or contact us if you need any further help or support.

With sincere thanks

Ian FranklinChairman,The Circulation Foundation


DECIDING ON YOUR EVENT THEME

Why?Last year’s Strollathon worked incredibly well. It’s a great way to get people exercising and thinking about their vascular health.

It is recommended that adults get 30 minutes average exercise a day, which can seem like a big challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier.

Regular walking not only increases leg circulation, but it also reduces the risk of chronic illnesses, such as asthma, stroke and some cancers. For people with peripheral arterial disease, walking is an important part of their treatment and it reduces the crippling pain caused by the condition.

How?Organising a Strollathon couldn’t be easier - just pick a local park or somewhere interesting for people to walk around, set the date and spread the word. There is no set-distance for you to cover; just decide what will work best for you and the people you want to involve.

A general search online for walking, social and recreational clubs in your area, to pinpoint potential groups or organisations to work with, is a good place to start.

You might like to contact your local authority to make sure they are happy for you to hold this event and ask if your local mayor would like to see you all off? The council might also run a healthy walks programme which you could piggy back to create your Strollathon, or at least generate some participants from.



If you’re stuck for where to hold your event, or would like a change of scenery, Walking for Health is a walking scheme run by the ramblers and has brilliant guided and un-guided walks all around the country. www.walkingforhealth.org.uk

You could also contact your local leisure centre for one of their fitness experts to come and talk about what other exercise classes there are locally and the importance of exercising safely, they could even hold a warm-up for you all at the beginning and a nice stretch at the end.

We have posters, pedometers, t-shirts and stickers for you to hand out to your walkers – all in our event in a box. Why not organise for a tea party after the walk for a well-earned rest.

Most importantly, let us know what you’re doing so we can help you promote your event as much as we can!


Why?Dance is a great way to exercise and have fun, across all ages. Think about who you could get involved in a fundraiser and let that guide you towards the theme. In 2012, a Zumbathon raised over £670!

How?If you’re aiming to attract retired people, how about a Tea Dance? Or if you want to get families or couples involved, why not run your own Strictly Come Dancing event in conjunction with a local teacher? Or a Tap-shoe-shuffle or a Line-Dance challenge?

How about holding a Danceathon or a sponsored dance-off? People love to get their glad-rags on, so you could also hold a competition for the best-dressed dancer. You could charge an entrance fee or fundraise at the event with a collection or a raffle.

Do you know any professional dancers who would give up their time to teach your guests some moves for a donation?

Most local dance schools will either be listed on your local council website or the International Dance Teachers Association (www.idta.co.uk) website. If you don’t have the time or know-how to organise your own, you could ask your local dance school or class to hold an existing event in aid of the Circulation Foundation.

We have all the resources you need to organise and promote your dance event, so whether it’s a sizzling samba, flirty foxtrot or a cheeky cha-cha-cha, put your best foot forward and help raise money to save lives and limbs!

Get in touch to order your event in a box today.



Why?If you like golf, or know someone who does, it’s easy to organise a fundraiser and the local golf club will be happy to help.

Playing golf is a fantastic, fun way to raise much needed funds and the long walk round the course is the perfect exercise to improve vascular health too! There are options for all abilities, from playing 18 holes, to a round at your local pitch and putt, or a Swingathon at the driving range.

If you’re not a golf enthusiast, find someone who is. Vascular surgeons within our network have run some fantastic golf days in the last, so do get in touch with us if you’d like to hear what’s worked well in the past.

How?You could charge people per game, per hole or even get holes sponsored by local businesses. Adding in challenges is also a great way of upping the friendly competition; why not test your golfer’s skills with a “nearest to the pin”, “longest drive” or “beat the pro” challenge.

Speak with the Captain of your local golf club to see whether they are able to help you, or even dedicate one of their own events to the Circulation Foundation.

Or contact colleagues who play golf and ask them to speak to their club Captain.

So whether it’s a birdie, bogie or eagle, choose your club or make your way down to your nearest green to help raise funds for life saving vascular research.

Or maybe something else…If walking, dancing or golfing doesn’t appeal and you’d rather do something else, we will happily adapt our digital templates for you and send you official Vascular Disease Week posters that fit your theme.

Just call the Rebecca or Lauren at the Circulation Foundation office on 0207 869 6937.


ORGANISING YOUR EVENT our ten point action plan1. Getting startedWhen people get together for an activity, it’s a great opportunity to establish the link between physical activity and vascular health. Working with local sports or leisure groups is a brilliant way to bring together people with and without experience of vascular disease and deliver our messages through materials and activities.

Find out about existing sports or physical activities that are run locally and explore possible links. Then choose which one will work best in your area.

And don’t forget to order your event in a box!

2. Share the loadWe know how busy you are, so spread the load by getting others involved. Think about who you can interest from your organisation:

• Website staff• Internal and external communications staff• Community engagement• Marketing staff

And get people outside your organisation involved too. This could include:

• Local health and diabetes organisations• Service user groups• Carer groups• The local police and fire departments• Voluntary groups, especially those for the 45+ age group

Create a ‘to do’ list and get a volunteer to make each item happen within your agreed timescales. We’ve created a template for this - see pages 18-19



3. Secure local partnershipsA key partnership to put in place early on is someone with whom you can develop your fundraising event. The previous section has hopefully given you some ideas here.

Creating other partnerships with local businesses, public services and voluntary groups will help spread the word and maximise involvement in your event.

When planning to approach other organisations, think about which partnerships would work best and also try and identify any benefits to the partner organisation, to encourage their participation.

Benefits to the partner organisation may include:

• Raising awareness amongst their customers and/or staff.• Helping their staff by providing key information and signposting to information.• Meeting their objectives to improve health and prevent suffering.• Reaching corporate social responsibility targets.

Partner organisations can support you by:

• Getting their members or employees to volunteer at events.• Promoting information about your activity through their communications and website.• Providing a venue for your event


4. Order your event in a boxWe’ve pulled together our most popular resources and put them in a box to help you make the most of your chosen event:

Each box contains:

• A3 poster samples – order more to promote your Strollathon/Swingathon/ Danceathon• Balloons and balloon hangers (takes 8 balloons)• Bunting• T-shirts for the event organisers

And for each participant:

• Sponsorship forms (25)• Pedometers (25)• PAD info books (25)• Donor leaflets (25)• Freepost envelopes (25)

Fundraising Returns FormYou can always order more if you get more than 25 people involved.And if you’re planning any other type of event, contact the office to ask for tailored materials.



5. Register your event with usPlease call Rebecca or Lauren 0207 869 6937 or email [email protected] to tell us what you’re doing and ask for any help you need.

We can then send you our digital templates and promotional items, which include:

• Editable posters to promote your event• Website banner and skyscraper ads• Editable newspaper ad to promote your event in local promotions through partners you have managed to get on board• TO DO list template• Participant confirmation letter template and sponsor forms• Press information template

Ask us if you need any of these adapted for your event. We’re here to help.

Web banner & skyscraper VDW 2014 advertisement(print ready PDF) – ideal for newsletters


6. Set a date, secure a venue and set a targetSo, you’ve got together a group of willing helpers. Decided on an event. Now you need to secure a venue (even if it’s the local park), set your date and agree your target numbers. We’re asking you to get together at least 25 participants who raise £20 each, but you can aim for anything above this level of participation. Be as ambitious as your team thinks possible and know you can rely on our office for any support you need.

7. Make it knownNow it’s time to let as many people know as possible and we have lots of things that will help you here. Once you’ve set your target for the number of participants, you can devise a promotional action plan to engage them.

Poster distributionYou will already have sample posters in your event in a box. Now you know your event theme, you just need to order more of the type you require. If you’ve decided to organise another type of event, just call the office on 020 7869 6937 or email [email protected] to request an amended poster template.

Good places for poster display are:

• Office and reception notice boards• Libraries• Social clubs• Sports and leisure venues• GP surgeries, chemists and pharmacies

NewslettersMost large organisations have staff newsletters and local councils produce a resident newsletter and have online event listings. Please use our advert template for newsletters that can accommodate artwork, or if they want you to provide a short written piece, use it as your template.



WebsitesThe Circulation Foundation Website has an updated events and news section that will feature all the events around the country during Vascular Disease Week.

We can set up your very own web page so you can use it in your fundraising efforts and generate support for your event. Just send us your web page request form (see page x) as soon as you’ve set a date and we’ll do the rest!

We’ve produced two different versions of a website banner ad, to help promote Vascular Disease Week and your event. There are two ways of doing this:

• Either send the website banners to your promotional contacts and simply ask them to link to the Circulation Foundation home page [www.circulationfoundation.org.uk]• Or ask them to link to your event web page – you will receive details of the URL once you have sent in your event details to the office and we have set the page up

Please ask as many contacts as possible to promote the event online.

Get the word out via your social networksFacebook, LinkedIn and Twitter is a great way to spread the news. Get as many people as possible posting announcements, updates and invitations to take part.

If you need any help from us, call Rebecca or Lauren on 0207 869 6937.


8. Tell your local pressFirstly, make a list of your local press (paid for and free press) and radio stations. Then, to get the most from your event, see if you can post a free advert in print, or online, to get people to take part.

For press coverage at the event, allow plenty of time to contact the journalist, ideally a month but at least two weeks in advance of your event, to brief them. Think about how this could make a good ‘news story’ with local relevance and give them details of the event.

Your best bet may be a photo story, so do ask them if they can send a photographer down to your event. Alternatively, if you know a professional photographer and can twist their arm to help, you’ll stand more chance of getting your story in print or online.

Getting a celebrity involved will help your case too – ask around to see if anyone knows someone.

If you need any help with media activity, please contact Rebecca or Lauren at the Circulation Foundation office on 0207 869 6937.



9. Set up a system for registering participants and fundraisingWe recommend that you confirm each participant’s place in writing, so they feel committed to turning up on the day and can make all the necessary arrangements.

Most importantly, this provides an opportunity to explain more about the Circulation Foundation and why their fundraising support is so vital to saving limbs and lives.

We need to explain their personal target of £20 and set out the ways they can gather sponsorship money – online via JustGiving and offline, using our sponsorship form. All the nitty gritty is explained on the back of the sponsorship form.

Sponsorship forms are included in the Event in a Box and you can order more from the office. They’re also available online to download, along with a draft letter for participant confirmation.

10. Send in your photos and funds raised.We love sharing stories about Vascular Awareness Week, so please, send in your pictures of the day, along with your Fundraising Returns Form.


TO DO LIST

ACTION RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE

Get together my team and research local opportunities that may link well with the Vascular Disease Week themes and make for good partnerships

Decide on our event theme

Allocate responsibilities for all actions

Order our event in a box

Make local contacts to help us with our event (council, leisure centre, local clubs, businesses, public services, voluntary groups)

Source a venue for the event and set a date and time

Send or email the Circulation Foundation office our event page request for our dedicated web page

Send in order form for additional posters, sponsor forms

Make a list of local press and organisations who can help promote our event, make contact and supply promotional materials

Request any tailored promotional items from the Circulation Foundation office

Put together a promotional plan, with deadlines for participant numbers and launch the event with posters, newsletters, online and via social networks

Put together a detailed list of things to do for the event day

Personalise the poster template with our event details and get it displayed prominently as far and wide as possible

You will of course want to organise things your way. But this action list might help you on your way. It’s by no means exhaustive, but it contains all the essentials and we highly recommend you add detail to fit your event.



ACTION RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE

Personalise the newsletter/newspaper advert and get it placed in as many publications as possible. Remember to add the participant entry deadline.

Send confirmation letters and sponsorship form to all participants within two days of sign up

Set up a JustGiving event page

Organise a professional photographer for the event (get them to donate their time) and/or keep in touch with your local paper and encourage them to send a photographer along

Ask all promotional partners to display a web banner and printed poster

Post regular updates on facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn - and ask your contacts to pass the word on

Do a phone around to all key partners, press and contributors the day before the event, to ensure they turn up on the day

Event day - have a great event!

Send our event pictures to [email protected]

Send in post event sponsorship form to confirm funds raised. Thank you!

Circulation Foundation35-43 Lincoln’s Inn FieldsLondon WC2A 3PET: 020 7869 6937F: 020 7430 9235E: [email protected]

circulationfoundation.org.uk

Introduction from our Chairman Page 4–5€¦ · • Community engagement • Marketing staff And...

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Transcript of Introduction from our Chairman Page 4–5€¦ · • Community engagement • Marketing staff And...