Fundraising

We hope that this pack gives you some great ideas to get your fundraising off to a flying start. There are lots of ideas, hints and tips to make the most of your fundraising. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and create your own unique event. Your support ensures that we can continue to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals in need. Thank you for helping us to make a real difference to abandoned and abused animals throughout Ashford & surrounding areas.

We simply couldn’t do it without you and we really appreciate all of the support that you give us

Thank you for choosing to fundraise for RSPCA Ashford & District.

As a self-funded Centre that costs over £5000 per week to run, we rely on our fundraising to keep our cattery open and to continue rescuing, rehabilitating & re-homing animals.

Here are just some of the ways in which you can help:

School Programme

Did you know that there has been an RSPCA Branch in Ashford since 2006? .

Help us celebrate by raising money to help dogs and cats in need, and have some fun while doing it. We know it’s not easy to fundraise so we really appreciate everything that you do to help helpless cats and dogs. We hope this pack will give you some ideas but if you want any more help please get in touch.

We really can’t do this without you and the incredible things that you do for the animals.

You can make a big difference

We look after cats that have been cruelly treated, neglected or abandon to look after themselves. We take them in and look after them, making sure that they see a vet, get the medicine they need, get a good meal, a warm bed and have loads of cuddles, then we find them a new loving home

Organise an Event

Please get in touch with us if you’d like to organise a fundraising event in aid of our Cattery. Examples of previous supporter events include: BBQ, Concert, Open Garden, Cake Sale and Fashion Show.


Donate Used Items

We are very grateful for any towels, blankets and sheets for use in our animal centre. Unfortunately we do not use pillows or duvets / quilts. Cat items, including food, are also gratefully accepted!

Sponsored Challenge

Please get in touch with us if you’d like to take on a sponsored challenge in aid of our cattery.

Examples of previous sponsored challenges include: Abseiling, Sky Dive, Mountain Climbing and London Marathon.

Sponsor A Pod

Help us provide a safe environment for local animals. Become a monthly donor to give our rescue pets the security of long-term support.

Donate Items

Amazon Wishlist

Order specialist products and equipment directly to our center, via Amazon. The wishlist is regularly updated with the items that the animals need most.

Charity shop

Plus charity shop page

🧁

Bake Sale

Get your local community baking to sell some delicious treats.

🎤

Karaoke Night

Host a karaoke evening and ask for donations to take part.

🐾

Dog Show

Let pups strut their stuff and win awards in a fun show.

🎨

Art Exhibition

Showcase local talent and charge an entry fee to raise money.

🎭

Murder Mystery Night

Get theatrical and solve a fictional crime while fundraising.

🎳

Sports Day

Relive school memories with traditional races and games.

☕

Coffee Morning

Invite friends over for coffee and cakes in support of animals.

📚

Read-a-thon

Get sponsored to read as many books as you can in a week.

🛍️

Bring & Buy Sale

Sell donated items to raise funds for your local RSPCA shelter.

💃

Dance-a-thon

Boogie all night long and raise funds through sponsorships.

🏕️

Outdoor Movie Night

Set up a projector and charge for a cozy outdoor film experience.

🎯

Darts Contest

Set up a darts tournament and crown a pub-style champion.

Fundraising Ideas A–Z

A
  • Abseil: Reach new heights with an abseiling challenge.
  • Afternoon tea: Hold an elegant afternoon tea with friends or family.
  • Arm wrestling contest: See who’s crowned the arm wrestling champion.
  • Art exhibition: Showcase local artists and raise money through an entry fee.
  • Auction: Encourage local businesses to donate items to be auctioned off.
  • Auctions and raffles: Ask friends, family and local businesses to donate goods which you can then auction or raffle.
  • Art: Auction off your own or a local artist’s works, or hold an exhibition.
  • Animal Food Donations: Collect and donate food for animals in care.
B
  • Bake sale: Get your local community baking to sell some delicious treats.
  • Bingo: Who will be the first to check off all their numbers at a bingo night?
  • Birthday giving: Ask your loved ones to donate instead of buying you gifts.
  • Book sale: Ask friends to donate their preloved books and sell them in aid of the RSPCA.
  • Barbecue: Ask for a donation for a burger, hot dog or vegetarian option.
  • Barn dance: Host a lively barn dance with music and donations at the door.
  • Battle of the Bakeoff: Compete with friends in a bake-off and get donations for entries and tastings.
  • Black tie ball: Host a glamorous evening and raise funds through tickets and raffles.
  • Burns night: Celebrate Robert Burns’ birthday with a themed dinner and donations.
  • Bad Tie Day: Wear your worst tie for charity and hold a competition!
  • Bathe in beans: Get sponsored to sit in a bath of baked beans—messy but memorable!
  • Bring and Buy Sale: Donate and purchase quality secondhand items.
  • Beat the Goalie: Set up a friendly goal challenge at your event.
  • Bungee Jump For Charity: Take the plunge and get sponsored for it.
C
  • Car wash: Help shine up local cars in a community car wash event.
  • Cocktail night: Mix up your favourite drinks in a charity cocktail evening.
  • Coffee morning: Enjoy a cuppa while raising money.
  • Crafts: Sell handmade crafts for donations.
  • Cycling: Get sponsored to hop on your bike for a charity ride.
  • Cuppa for the cats (& dogs): Use video-calling to enjoy tea together and fundraise.
  • Car boot/jumble sale: Clear out your home and raise money.
  • Collection tin: Place a donation box in a communal area.
  • Climb Everest: Take on an indoor climbing challenge for sponsorship.
  • Cabaret: Host a fun show with music, comedy and refreshments.
  • Cooking competition: Take turns hosting dinners and rate each other’s meals.
  • Custard pie throwing: Set up a fun pie-throwing booth with volunteers!
  • Company car wash: Organise a team car wash day at work.
  • Crazy hair: Grow out or shave your hair and raise money for the cause.
  • Cake sale: A tried and true classic for raising money with sweet treats.
  • Calendar: Design and sell themed calendars for fundraising.
  • Christmas: Raise funds with raffles, fairs, Secret Santa or festive events.
  • Car Share: Reduce your carbon footprint and donate savings to charity.
D
  • Dance-a-thon: See who can last the longest dancing.
  • Darts contest: Host a friendly darts tournament.
  • Dinner party: Host a themed charity dinner for guests.
  • Dog show: Let pups compete for fun titles and prizes.
  • Drawing contest: Invite entries and award fun prizes.
  • Duck race: Numbered rubber ducks, river, winner takes a prize!
  • Dress Down Day: Dress casual at work for a small donation.
  • Dog Walking: Help walk pets for neighbours in exchange for donations.
  • Donate Your Coffee Money: Skip a luxury coffee and give the cost to charity.
E
  • eBay: Sell any unwanted items you have lying around on eBay.
  • Egg painting contest: Get creative to see who can paint the best egg.
  • Egg and Spoon race: Challenge your friends to a good old egg and spoon race!
  • Etsy: Use your crafting skills to sell your awesome creations on Etsy.
  • Exercise marathon: Hold a day-long event to see who can go the distance.
  • Eurovision party: Everyone can represent a different country at this party.
  • Easter egg hunt: A fun seasonal activity for families and kids.
F
  • Facebook fundraising: Use Facebook tools to support your cause.
  • Fancy dress day: Dress up at school or work and donate.
  • Fashion show: Rock your best outfits and raise money.
  • Film night: Host a film night, maybe with a theme!
  • Football match: Organise a match and raise funds with tickets.
  • Fishy Friday: Host a fish supper or seafood feast for donations.
  • Fill Your Boots: Fill a boot with coins at school or work.
  • Flower show: Show off and sell your beautiful plants and arrangements.
  • Face painting: Add fun to events and charge a donation per face.
G
  • Games night: Get competitive in a board or video games night with friends and family.
  • Give something up: Get sponsored for giving up something you love.
  • Golf day: Organise a golf event to raise funds.
  • Grow a beard: Let your facial hair grow while raising money.
  • Guess how many: Fill a jar and charge for guesses.
  • Guess the baby: Match baby photos to colleagues or friends.
  • Guess the number: Fill a jar with items and guess the count for a prize.
  • Give it some welly: Organise a welly throwing competition or welly-themed day.
  • Get creative: Make items like cookies or t-shirts to raise money.
  • Get knitting: Knit scarves, hats or toys and sell them.
  • Garden Sale: Sell bulbs, plants, and gardening gear for donations.
  • Guess the Breed of Dog: Create a game where people guess the breed from photos.
H
  • Harry Potter party: Discover Hogwarts magic with themed games and costumes.
  • Head shave: Shave your head to raise sponsorships.
  • Hiking: Take on a sponsored hike challenge.
  • Homebrewing: Brew your own drinks and sell for donations.
  • Hour of earnings: Donate one hour of your pay.
  • Holiday day: Auction an extra holiday day at work.
  • Helping hands: Help others with chores for sponsorship.
  • Halloween party: Host a spooky gathering with costumes and fundraising games.
I
  • Ice cream tasting: Discover new flavours at a tasting event.
  • Improv night: Let your community flex their skills at an improv night.
  • Iron man challenge: Hold an endurance challenge and raise funds through sponsorships.
  • It’s a Knockout: Have fun with inflatable obstacle course games.
  • International food evening: Enjoy dishes from around the world and ask for donations to attend.
J
  • Jam making: Make your own preserves to sell for donations.
  • Jazz night: Host an evening of live jazz music with an entry fee.
  • Jigsaw puzzle marathon: Challenge friends to a race to complete puzzles.
  • Joke-a-thon: Exchange laughs for donations by telling your best jokes.
  • Jumble sale: Sell second-hand goods to raise money.
  • Job swap: Swap jobs for a day and raise sponsorship.
  • Jewellery making: Create and sell your own handmade jewellery.
K
  • Karaoke: Host a fun karaoke evening and charge entry or take donations.
  • Kayaking: Hold a kayak race and raise funds through sponsorships.
  • Keepy uppy contest: See who can keep a ball in the air longest.
  • Kick a habit: Raise money by getting sponsored to give up a bad habit.
  • Knitting: Create scarves, toys, or other crafts to sell.
L
  • Las Vegas night: Host a casino-themed fundraising event.
  • Learn a new skill: Get sponsored to pick up a new talent.
  • Lego contest: Compete to build the most impressive creation.
  • Livestream: Stream your gaming, fitness, or crafting session to raise funds.
  • Loose change collection: Collect spare change from friends, family or colleagues.
  • Lawn mowing: Offer to mow lawns in your neighbourhood for donations.
  • Lucky dip: Charge for a chance to pull a small prize out of a hat or box.
  • Lunch from around the world: Host a bring-and-share event with dishes from different cultures.
M
  • Makeover: Ask people to donate skills for hairdressing, manicures, etc.
  • Mobile free day: Challenge everyone to go without phones for a full day.
  • Mountain climb: Rise to the top with a mountain climb challenge.
  • Murder mystery party: Find out who done it at a murder mystery night.
  • Music concert: Hold your own local music event or battle of the bands.
  • Money pots: Fill small jam jars with 5p coins! How many can you fill?
  • Monthly Mile: Walk, jog or run 31 miles in a month and raise funds with every step.
  • Murder mystery: Host a murder mystery evening with obligatory donations from your guests.
N
  • Nail art: Raise money through creating beautiful nail art on people.
  • Name the [blank] contest: Challenge people to name the song, pet, or movie.
  • Needlework sale: Create impressive needlework and sell it for charity.
  • Netball tournament: Take to the court for charity netball matches.
  • Nighttime walk: Get sponsored to walk alone or with friends all night long.
  • No hair: Shave your hair or beard off and get sponsored.
  • No vices: Get people to sponsor you to give up your favourite treats.
O
  • Obstacle course: See who can complete the course fastest.
  • Onion chopping challenge: Who can go the longest without shedding tears?
  • Open mic night: Let anyone take to the stage in an open mic event.
  • Original recipe contest: Compete to bring out the best recipe.
  • Outdoor theatre: Hold a theatre show outdoors with an entry fee.
  • Office Olympics: Compete in fun workplace games for charity.
P
  • Penalty shootout: Hold a tournament to see who scores most goals.
  • Plank / press up challenge: See who can hold out the longest.
  • Poetry day: Share poems or hold a contest for best lyricist.
  • Poker night: All money won gets donated to charity.
  • Pot luck event: Everyone brings a dish to share for donations.
  • Play football: Organise a match or penalty shootout and raise funds.
  • Parachute jump: Skydive for a cause and collect sponsorships.
  • Play DJ: Run a themed music night and collect donations.
  • Pirate Day: Dress up and host themed activities for donations.
  • Payroll Giving: Donate monthly from your paycheck via HR setup.
Q
  • Quad bike racing: Get the adrenaline pumping in a quad bike race.
  • Quickest time contests: See who can complete a task the fastest.
  • Quiet hour: Challenge people to stay quiet for an hour and donate for every noise.
  • Quintessentially British party: Host a tea party with scones and more.
  • Quiz night: Test knowledge in a fun, themed quiz night.
  • Quit Smoking: Get sponsored to quit smoking and raise funds.
R
  • Read-a-thon: Challenge people to get reading for charity.
  • Roaring twenties party: Host a decadent 1920s-themed party.
  • Rock climbing: Host a climbing challenge for charity.
  • Ramble: Go on a sponsored countryside walk or hike.
  • Reindeer Run: Host a themed fun run around the holidays.
  • Row the (virtual) Channel: Use gym equipment to row a virtual distance.
S
  • Sports day: Host nostalgic races and challenges for charity.
  • Street party: Invite neighbours and raise money with food and games.
  • Superhero party: Dress up as heroes and host themed activities.
  • Short story contest: Invite entries and choose a winner.
  • Superhero Day: Celebrate local heroes with themed dress-up.
  • Swear box: Fine each other for swearing and donate the proceeds.
  • Sponsored swim: Swim for a certain distance and raise funds.
  • Sponsored walk: Walk a route with sponsorships.
  • Sports team challenge: Run a sports tournament for charity.
  • Strictly Dance off: Compete in dance routines and raise funds.
  • Stocks or wet sponge throwing: Volunteers take hits for donations.
  • Scavenger hunt: Organise a fun, clue-filled event.
  • Sponsored silence: Get sponsored to stay silent all day.
  • School Non-Uniform Day: Donate to dress casually for school.
  • Summer Fête: Host a classic community fête with games and food.
  • School Disco: Put on a themed disco for students to raise funds.
  • School Uniform Swaps: Swap uniforms to save and raise money.
  • Spelling Bee: Run a fun contest for good spellers to shine.
  • Supermarket Bag Packing: Offer to pack groceries for donations.
  • Spare Change: Gather any loose change left around the house.
  • Sponsor a dog kennel or a cat pod: Help fund animal housing.
T
  • Table tennis tournament: Compete in friendly table tennis matches.
  • Talent contest: Let people show off their talents on stage.
  • Teddy bear picnic: Host a child-friendly picnic with teddy bears.
  • Tombola: Offer fun prizes in a local raffle-style event.
  • Treasure hunt: Plan a route with clues and small prizes.
  • Teddy Bear’s Picnic: Another picnic idea perfect for kids and families.
U
  • Ultimate frisbee: Host a frisbee match in your local park.
  • Uniform free day: Skip the uniform for a small donation.
  • University Challenge: Run your own quiz-style academic event.
  • Unplug from tech: Get sponsored to turn off all screens for a day.
  • Upcycling: Repurpose items and sell for donations.
  • Ugly Jumper Competition: Hold a fun, themed contest with donations.
V
  • Variety show: Organise a show with music, comedy and dance.
  • Vegetable growing: Sell your home-grown veg for charity.
  • Video game competition: Compete in popular video games for a fee.
  • Village fete: Host a traditional village fair with fun stalls.
  • Vintage sale: Sell vintage clothing and accessories for charity.
  • Vanity check: Go a week without makeup for donations.
W
  • Wear RSPCA blue day: Everyone wears blue and donates.
  • Wedding gifts: Request charity donations instead of gifts.
  • Window cleaning: Offer services in exchange for donations.
  • Wine tasting: Host a wine tasting with entry fees.
  • World record attempt: Attempt to break or set a world record.
  • Wacky races: Build fun carts and race for donations.
  • Water-only drink challenge: Go 10 days drinking only water and raise funds.
X
  • X Factor competition: Host a singing contest and raise funds.
Y
  • Yoga marathon: Hold an extended yoga session for charity.
  • Yo-yo contest: Compete with your best yo-yo tricks.
Z
  • Zero waste day: Try to produce no waste for a day or week.
  • Zip wire: Get sponsored to complete a zip wire challenge.