One of the best ways to support Rainbows is to put on a fundraising event for us (or take part in one of our organised events). You can do this in your spare time – it’s great fun and very rewarding. To kick-start your fundraising, we’ve highlighted 25 fun ways to fundraise for us during our 25th year!

Brew can do it! 

Almost 36 million cups of tea and roughly 70 million cups of coffee are consumed in the UK each year. Why not turn this passion for a brew into the perfect fundraising event? There really is nothing better than good friends, a freshly brewed cuppa and (lots of) cake!
To help make your coffee morning / Afternoon Tea a huge success, we’ve created a helpful “Brew Can Do It!” guide… all you need to add is tea/coffee and cake!

Sponsored walk, swim, run… or silence:

Whether you want to take part in an organised event or do it in your own time, taking part in a sponsored walk, swim or run is the perfect way to stay active while helping to support Rainbows. You can even get your pets involved too! 
Alternatively, get your school involved and take it one step further with a sponsored silence. 

Take on a challenge: 

Push yourself out of your comfort zone by taking on one of the fantastic challenge events we’re involved in. From runs to cycles and treks overseas. Find your next challenge today via rainbows.co.uk/challenges

Sell your pre-loved items:

Having a clear out at home? Instead of throwing the items away, why not upcycle and sell them; hold a bring and buy sale with your friends, family or colleagues… or better still, donate them to one of our five shops. Get your whole company / school involved and have our ‘Where’s it Bin?’ bins on site.

Open Gardens:

These are always popular events and even if you’re not green-fingered, you can get involved by popping along to the many being held in support of Rainbows. Find your nearest at rainbows.co.uk/events

Non-uniform day:

Non-uniform days are a great way to get everyone involved. Why not consider theming it – from superheroes, book characters or colours, all are perfect themes. All will make great photos to share on social media too!

Test your trivia:

Think you’re smarter than a 10-year-old? Put your trivia knowledge to the test and host a quiz night.

Knit for Rainbows: 

If you’re one of those people who can never sit down without a pair of knitting needles and a ball of wool, we would love your help during this special anniversary year.

We are asking you, our supporters, to knit brightly colour flower brooches and then sell them on our behalf, to raise both awareness and funds. By encouraging your family, friends and neighbours to wear a Rainbows brooch, you’ll be helping to ensure we continue to be there in the future for many children, young people and their families. Alternatively, you can donate your knits to the hospice, or to one of our shops where we’ll sell them. 

Sweepstakes:

A big sporting event coming up? Hold a sweepstake in the office, with half the pot being donated to Rainbows – the winner takes the rest. 

Get sporty:

Think you’re the next Messi, Johnny Wilkinson or LeBron James? Get your friends together, get sporty and host a football, rugby, basketball (or another sport) tournament.

Get your company involved:

Businesses throughout the East Midlands (and further afield) can help support Rainbows, while fulfilling their Corporate Social Responsibility requirements, in a number of ways including: 

  • Payroll giving
  • Sponsorship
  • Cause Related Marketing
  • Joining our Business Club

These are also great ways to improve staff morale and demonstrate to stakeholders, clients, colleagues and employees their commitment to a worthwhile charity. Contact our Corporate Team to find out more.

Enjoy a night at the theatre: 

Our long-term supporters, The Festival Players, regularly put on shows throughout Leicestershire – and by buying tickets for these shows, you’ll be helping to support Rainbows. If that wasn’t enough, you also get to enjoy a great night out at the theatre. Keep an eye out for their next show.

Fantasy Football:

Fancy yourself as the next Pep? Create a Fantasy Football league with your friends / family / colleagues, get everyone who enters a team to pay a fee (half the money to the winner, half to us) and see who takes the glory come the summer.

Shop online: 

Whether you’re looking to book your next holiday, a family day out or you’re buying books, toys or games, by shopping online via Amazon Smile or Give as You Live, you can support Rainbows at the same time – without any extra cost to you! If you use the browser extension Smilematic it’ll redirect you to Amazon Smile every time you shop on Amazon.

Brave the shave:

Whether you’ve been growing your hair for a period of time, or you’re a hairy chap, – braving the shave (or having a sponsored wax) is a great way to raise some money. 

Give it up:

Are you a bit of a chocoholic or an avid tea drinking? Why not pledge to give your vice up for a set period of time (perhaps one month) in return for sponsorship… the longer you’re prepared to give it up, the more likely you are to raise sponsorship. 

Crafty Creations:

Do you have an artistic flair? Use your crafty skills to create great items which you can sell at fetes, online or car boot sales. 

Facebook Fundraiser: 

Facebook Fundraising pages are really easy to use and a great way to raise money online for Rainbows. Whether you’re fundraising for an event or want to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, these pages can be whatever you want them to be. What are you waiting for? Set yours up today via facebook.com/fund/rainbowsfanpage/

Donate your loose change:

Have a few pennies in your pockets or foreign currency which you’ve not exchanged back? Place it in one of our donation buckets found throughout the East Midlands, every penny really does count. Alternatively, why not have one of our collection pots in your office and use it as a swear jar? You’ll be amazed how much you could raise!

Face your fears:

Have a fear of snakes, spiders or heights? Face them for sponsorship… and those who have a fear of heights, we’ve got the perfect challenge for you; our Derby Cathedral Abseil in October. 

Five other fundraising ideas you may fancy taking on include:

  1. Hold a ‘Family Fun Day’
  2. Host a bake sale
  3. Hold a nostalgic games night
  4. Run a raffle
  5. Sing, dance or act and host a talent show

However you choose to fundraise for Rainbows, make sure you get in touch and tell us about – not only will we be more than happy to shout about it via our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages, but our dedicated Community Fundraising Team will also be on hand to offer any advice you may need and answer any questions you have.

Have an idea of your own? Let us know.