There are loads of ways to raise money. We want you to be excited about whatever it is you’re doing. Rather than being overwhelmed at the idea of trying to raise lots of money, think of something you’d enjoy doing. You’d be surprised at how much money you can raise in the process!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Do something sponsored – the list is endless…. cycle/run/walk/swim/shave your head/knit/non-stop improvisation/ read-athon of the Dramatised Bible. Put a theatrical spin on it and get sponsored to perform a Riding Lights sketch at the highest point you can, or at the top of each of the Three Peaks. Or get sponsored to go for 24 hours only speaking using lines from Riding Lights sketches or Shakespeare plays.

Have a car boot sale or a car wash.

Have a bake sale after church (going with the theme “the Sky’s the Limit”, why not see who can sell the tallest tower of cakes).

Organise a raffle.

Hosting an event such as an acoustic night or a quiz and curry night. You could even tailor the quiz to a particular theme. Raffles and incentives for sponsoring a skydiver could be incorporated.

The Pear Tree - Works as a kind of auction. ‘Pears’ are attached to the tree and people pay for a pear. They vary in price ranges, with the price written on them. So, for example, £5 up to £50. When you buy the ‘pear’, you don’t know what you’re buying. However, you do know it will be worth at least the value of the amount you paid for it. The ‘pear’ you buy is taken off the tree; it has a number on it which corresponds with the number on an envelope. Inside the envelope is a ticket. That ticket has another number on it, which matches up to one of the prizes. You can do this as part of a fundraising evening or as a stand alone event. It can be as big or as small as you like. You just need to do some gathering of things that can serve to be sold. This is easier than you might think. For example, if you know a hairdresser, see if they might offer a free haircut; get the word out among your friends and see if anyone has any unwanted gifts they could give.

Organise a charity football match.

Fundraising hitchhike (not actually hitchhiking). Have a letter to show to people explaining who Riding Lights and what you’re raising money for. Get sponsored to try and get as far as possible (and back home again!) for free. Could you get to Hawaii and back?! It has been done before using this method! You’d be surprised at what people will give away for charity, particularly if it’s not costing them anything!