Biggest fundraising activities revealed from car washes to marathons
THE biggest growing fundraising activities over the last 12 months include sponsored skips, car washes and ultra marathons – raising over £80million for charitable causes.
Data from fundraising platform, JustGiving, has revealed the top 10 physical activities which have seen the biggest increase in popularity year-on-year.
Sponsored skips have made a 286 per cent jump, raising almost £230,000, while car washes grew by 47 per cent, bringing in £47,000.
Meanwhile, ultra marathons – any footrace longer than a marathon – increased by 34 per cent and raised £1.6m.
Charitable skydives went up by 42 per cent, amounting to £5.7million, and walking challenges also grew by 42 per cent – collecting a whopping £57m.
However, a poll of 2,000 people commissioned by JustGiving found nearly 32 per cent have never fundraised for charity.
Some of the reasons why people have not fundraised include not liking asking people for money (32 per cent) and not having the time (15 per cent).
One in 10 haven’t got involved because of their social anxiety, while eight per cent simply struggle to come up with ideas or activities to raise money.
Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of the fundraising platform, which also created a ‘Spin the Wheel’ fundraising idea generator for those stuck with how they can support good causes, said: “The enormous generosity that we saw throughout 2023 made it a record-breaking year for giving, with more than 18m donations to almost 20,000 UK charities.
“Every individual, who fundraised or donated, made an enormous difference to so many great causes and we feel privileged to play our part, by providing a platform for people to fundraise through.
“We understand how tricky it can be to come up with a fundraising activity that is right for you, so we hope that our Fundraiser Finder quiz will help people of all ages and abilities match with an activity that best meets their needs and inspires them to fundraise, for a cause close to their hearts.
”The research went on to find 20 per cent have done activities in the last 12 months that, in hindsight, could have formed part of a fundraiser, such as running, cycling or baking.
TOP 10 BIGGEST GROWING PHYSICAL FUNDRAISERS
1. Skipping – 287 per cent – £230,000 raised
2. Car Wash – 47 per cent – £47,000 raised
3. Walking – 42 per cent – £57million raised
4. Skydive – 42 per cent – £5.7million raised
5. Squats – 42 per cent – £300,000 raised
6. Ultra Marathon – 34 per cent – £1.6m raised
7. Hiking – 33 per cent – £3.7m raised
8. Football – 30 per cent – 8.4 m raised
9. Tough Mudder – 28 per cent – £1.7m raised
10. Ironman – 18 per cent – £2m raised
When people have fundraised themselves, not only have they felt a sense of pride (12 per cent) and generosity (15 per cent), but 11 per cent said it helps their mental wellbeing.
Four in 10 adults support charities, either by taking part or sponsoring, because they want to make a difference.
A further 29 per cent think everyone needs to play their part, while 37 per cent are driven by a cause close to their heart.
The research also found 36 per cent will donate to a cause they know is important to friends or family.
And, as a result, 62 per cent would be willing to sponsor a charity they don’t typically support if someone they knew was fundraising for it.
According to insight from the online fundraising platform, the charities people donated to most in 2023 were those related to cancer, children, mental health and humanitarian efforts.
The study, conducted via OnePoll, also found UK adults give around £83 a year to causes, with 26 per cent making monthly contributions.
Among the most common ways people support charities are donating items and clothes (57 per cent), in addition to purchasing from charity shops (40 per cent).
As well as putting loose change in collection tins (40 per cent), paying a direct debit (26 per cent) and contributing via fundraising pages to support other people’s efforts (22 per cent).
Looking forward, bake sales (12 per cent), car boot sales (11 per cent), step targets (10 per cent) and hosting a pub quiz (eight per cent) are activities people would consider doing to raise money.
Pascale Harvie from JustGiving added: “Despite it having been a very difficult year for so many people, I was consistently amazed by the incredible lengths that so many individuals went to in order to raise money and awareness for the causes closest to them.
“To every single person that has supported a good cause, on behalf of all of our charity partners, thank you.”