Give yourself enough time.
The sooner you start planning the less you’ll have to worry about nearer the fundraiser, helping you enjoy it and things go smoothly.

Decide what you want to do and when and where you plan to do it. What days and times are good for you and others? Do you plan to link it to another event?

Different types of raffles have different rules. Please check out the rules before holding a raffle in support of Home-Start Dudley.

You can find information on the different types of raffles (including ones held online) and the guidance and rules that apply in each case on the Gambling Commission website.

The easiest way to avoid running into any problems is to follow these basic rules:

• Only sell tickets to guests at your event.
• Only sell tickets to people over 16.
• Do not spend more than £250 on raffle prizes. If they are donated, you do not have to include their value.
• Do not offer any cash prizes.
• Draw the raffle at the event, with the top prize being the first one you draw.

If you are planning to sell tickets prior to your event, then please contact us, or visit www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk for guidance, as different rules will apply.

Food safety laws apply when food is available at an event whether it is for sale or not.
Check out references and/or qualifications of suppliers – e.g. if caterers or food suppliers have the relevant food hygiene and environmental health certificates and Public Liability Insurance.
If you are preparing food yourself, The Food Standards Agency has the latest advice for individuals, charities and community groups who want to prepare and sell foods to fundraise here.
Everyone involved in preparing
and serving food needs a basic
understanding of food hygiene.

Holding a collection in a public place can be a great way to raise funds. However, you will need to ensure you get the appropriate permission/licence before you collect. Always ask/apply well in advance as it can sometimes take a long time to get a date confirmed. Age restrictions also apply in different parts of the UK – to be safe, make sure everyone is over 18.

Here are some guidelines to help you fundraise responsibly:

• Street collections – If you are holding a collection in a public street, you will need to obtain a licence from your local authority (or Metropolitan Police if in London).
• Private collections – If your collection is open to the public but being held on private property such as within a shopping centre, pub or rail station, you must obtain permission from the landowner or manager.
• Collecting tins – If you would like to place one of our collecting tins somewhere, perhaps in a shop or at work, please contact us for more information.

House to house collections are a little more complicated – you need a licence and there are extra regulations that will need to be put in place to comply with these and to be safe and legal. We prefer our supporters not to fundraise in this way – we’re mindful people live busy lives and may not want to be disturbed at home. We’re also aware that there are vulnerable people who may not feel comfortable with a house to house collector knocking their door. We kindly ask you to fundraise for us in another way.

There are a few things to consider when organising your own event, including:

Keeping things safe & Legal

Please make sure you keep things safe and legal. Home-Start Dudley can’t be held responsible if you don’t. We really want your fundraiser to go well. We really don’t want you getting into trouble fundraising.

Do a risk assessment for any fundraising events, looking at how risks can be reduced and what’s in place to keep everything safe and to deal with emergencies.

Please don’t do solo endurance events without the right support team. Take the time to thoroughly consider your safety and make sure you’ve got adequate back-up.

Health & Safety – Risk Assessments
If you are organising your own event, carrying out a risk assessment is the best way to make sure your event is safe and secure. It doesn’t have to be complicated – it just means checking practical, common-sense things. You will need to check the venue/location and make yourself aware of any potential hazards and put things in place to minimise any risk.
Home-Start UK have put together this risk assessment checklist which might help but you can also source your own.

Health & Safety – First Aid
If you are having more than 50 guests you may need a trained first aider at your event – the ratio depends on what type of event you are organising.
Please check with your local authority what the requirements are or you can get advice from a professional medical company like St John’s Ambulance or the Red Cross.

Consider:

• the number of people attending
• what the weather is likely to be like
• type of event and risk involved
• type of people, including their ages
• how long the event lasts
• location and type of venue
• how near is it to local medical facilities

If you are hiring a staffed venue for your event, they may already have this covered so please check this with them.

If you’re putting on a show
You might need a Public Entertainments Licence from your local authority if you’re organising entertainment (like music, dancing or a film screening) at a venue that doesn’t already have a licence. Licences are free for charity events.

Insurance
You will need to take out Public Liability Insurance cover for your event if it involves the public. If you are holding your event at a venue, check with them if they already have insurance that covers your event.

Should you wish to be covered for personal injury insurance, we would strongly recommend that you consider taking out your own personal insurance cover for personal accident benefits.

Home-Start Dudley can’t accept any liability for any event you organise, so it is important to sort out appropriate insurance cover.