Start as soon as possible
Adopt a determined and planned approach to your fundraising. Carry a sponsorship form with you at all times, together with a few leaflets about Vision Aid Overseas, so that you have always got something to show to possible sponsors.

Make a list
Make a list of all your family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues and decide how you are going to approach them and what you are going to say to them.  Encourage family, friends and work colleagues to help fundraise on your behalf. Rather than cold-calling, try to target organisations, businesses or individuals where you have a contact.

Where is the money being spent
Ensure that you and your fundraising colleagues have an answer for this question. “£600 will pay for a project team member and £2500 could pay for another project” A ready reply will always elicit more funds than a vague indication. Click here for some helpful money handles.

Make it easy for sponsors
Use the sponsorship forms which we will send you, and make sure your personal details are completed so that you are easy to contact. If any sponsor wants to pay “up-front” -  accept it! (Remember to get full addresses for Gift Aid)

Face-to-face is best
It’s difficult for sponsors to say no if you are stood in front of them! If you can’t meet them, send a letter, fax or email as they are harder to ignore. A tear-off strip at the bottom is useful. Be brave and ask the most unlikely people to sponsor you – you may be surprised!

Go to the boss
At work or through colleagues in other businesses target managers who control budgets. Approach the boss and ask if you can tell sponsors that their donation will be matched pound for pound by your company.

Have a high profile and be proud of what you are doing
Meet as many potential sponsors as you can. Contact your local newspaper or company newsletter and tell them about your venture. Your customers may want to sponsor you, when they read about it! Remember, you are actually doing something to make a difference!

Done the challenge – get the money!
Don’t be backward in telling all your sponsors that you have successfully completed the challenge and now is the time to pay up! If you can do some sort of newsletter to tell them how it went and what sort of total you have been promised, they will feel it was worthwhile – and so will you! Send it to people who wouldn’t sign up – they may feel guilty and donate!