Fundraising Ideas

If you are interested in raising funds for persecuted Christians here are a few things other supporters have done which you might like to consider:

Fundraising from home

• Host a fundraising coffee morning, afternoon English tea, or dinner party (eg a Sabina Supper) at your own home or your church hall. People love to fundraise while socialising over an enjoyable cuppa and cake or a special meal!

Fun and games

• Organise a games evening with a modest entry fee and a small prize for the winner or winning team. You could play board games such as chess, Scrabble, Settlers of Catan, or even snakes and ladders; table-top games such as Connect 4, dominoes or Ludo; or card games such as Exploding Kittens, snap or Uno; or even multiple-player online games

Quiz nights

• Run a quiz night – this is another effective fundraising idea. First, arrange a quiz master and a venue. Then go online for the types of questions you want to use. Invite your friends and make sure you provide some tasty snacks. You can charge for tickets and maybe even do a raffle if you have a few items or services that you might want to auction.

Show a film

• Host a screening of Tortured for Christ – a moving drama documentary about the witness and patient endurance of the pastor whose experience in Romanian prisons still inspires Christians around the world. Call 01689 823491 to order your free copy of the DVD and pack of promotional materials.

Fun ideas

• Auction promises (a meal, babysitting, car washes, shopping, gardening, decorating, etc)
• BBQ (Barbecue)

Sales ideas

• Hold a sale – do you and your friends enjoy cooking, crafting, or growing plants? Then why not arrange a Saturday sale from your home or church hall, if others get involved. People can be amazingly enthusiastic about supporting charitable sales like these! You might have tables for:
• Books
• Cakes
• Crafts
• Plants
• ‘Jumble’

Sponsored Activities

• Many people like the challenge of doing something active or even daredevil to raise funds for charity. These are some of the challenges that have been undertaken by Release supporters:
• A walk
• A cycle-ride
• A fun-run or a serious run (say, 1,000 or 5,000m)
• A marathon or triathlon
• A three-peaks walk
• An abseil or bungee-jump

Team Activities

• Organise a football match – this is a great way to involve men and young people in your church. If you don’t get enough people for two teams of 11, you can always make it a game of five-a-side. Ask each player to pay a fee for playing and get the spectators to make a contribution too. Also, you might want to provide some hot drinks and snacks and charge a small amount for them to raise more.

Everyday Fundraising

• Get discount electricity, gas, landline, mobile and internet services from Utility Warehouse (0333 777 3121 quoting ref B55981). They make a donation to Release on each of your bills. Which? have often rated them as a ‘Best Buy’ for bundled utilities: the more services you use, the greater your discount.
• If you are planning to travel abroad, book your tickets through Charitable Traveller (020 3092 1288). 5% of your ticket price will be donated to Release International.
• Scrap your old car at Giveacar (0207 736 4242), quoting Release as your preferred charity.
• Keep a collecting box on your mantelpiece and collect spare change to send in as a cheque when it is full.

Will you do something simple or amazing to help persecuted Christians?

If you would like to fundraise for Release, please call Emőke on 01689 823491 or email: info@releaseinternational.org Emőke will be glad to send you sponsorship forms and other materials you may find helpful.

Click here to read some inspiring stories of others who have raised funds for Release.