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 [email protected] 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
n Sho
w
Jail Break
Magic ShowPa
mp
er
Party
Battle
o
f the
Band
s
Wine & Cheese Evening
Giv
e
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected] 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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Cut out and put on your wall today
Willo
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only na
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s Spe
cia
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serio
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ad
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Prom
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Find it o
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pa
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illow
found
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.uk/fundra
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Guid
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spire
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Ga
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: 601018A
cc
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Online
willo
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da
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.org
.uk/d
on
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1 The
Big Id
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2 Te
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3 Te
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4 A
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5 Se
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KEEP SAFE
We
wa
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r Willo
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We
also
wa
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nd yo
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. W
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ca
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bo
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f your p
lans, c
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tea
m fo
r ad
vice
or visit:
ww
w.d
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rity.co
m/fund
raising
-ad
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My ta
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Start
In a
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you
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me
as a
re
fere
nc
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nd
let u
s kn
ow
you
’ve p
aid
it in
. Ema
il fundra
ising@
willo
wfo
unda
tion.o
rg.uk
or p
ho
ne
01707 259 777
Just G
iving
Text C
od
e
Cha
rity no. 1106746
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