09 Apr Charities around the Bay need your support

TIMES are tough for all in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, and the pressures are overwhelming for some.

We have already lost a handful of charities in Torbay this year, and others will surely follow, but none will go down without a fight. Every organisation that relies on outside funding is doing all it can to bring more money in.

They are also inventing ever more creative ways of getting their supporters to help, and we have had our thinking caps on at Torbay Communities. How can we do something that stands out, raises money, has an impact and is enjoyable for those taking part?

Not too many years ago, it was a sponsored walk, a sponsored silence, a cake bake or a jumble sale that made the difference, but now you have to add a little something to ensure your event stands out over and above the others.

Rowcroft recently had a sponsored walk, but they didn’t call it that; instead, it was the Big Tackle and tied directly into the Rugby Six Nations to make it an eight-mile hike with a pastie and a pint thrown in for good measure.

Even the entry fees were creative, with a series of tariffs starting low for the early birds, rising as the event got closer and the hype took hold until on the day (or at the final whistle as they called it), some walkers were paying £60 for the privilege. Brilliant and, from an administrative point of view, necessary. The more walkers you have, the more people you need to support them.

No wonder then that more than 1,100 people took part, and the event so far has brought in £112,000 to the Rowcroft coffers, making a significant contribution to the £11m a year the hospice needs to keep going.

But the point is, not only did all those people turn out for charity, but they all had a great time, and they now know a little bit more about Rowcroft and their great work. They may also know a bit more about the South West Coast path, along with rugby, pasties and pints, but that is an aside.

Rowcroft are certainly not alone in organising imaginative fundraising events. We have one coming up later in the year when we will be asking people to walk in stages from Brixham to St Marychurch, and no, we will not call it a sponsored walk – that one is Hands Across the Bay.

For us, it is just one of numerous things that we want people to get behind and beyond the traditional raffles, Christmas sales, and annual balls. Watch this space for news of something around Eurovision and, perhaps, something to mark the longest day in June.

We know we will not be the only ones holding out the collecting buckets, and we know that simply asking for money is not enough. We must demonstrate that we deserve it and outline how we will spend it.

In our case, that is relatively easy. We will be spending it on our communities here in the Bay, in particular focusing on those that need it most in these straitened times – the vulnerable, the infirm, and the disabled.

There are many ways that you can help charities and non-profits:

1. Financial Support
   • Donate regularly: Even small, recurring donations help charities plan long-term.
   • Corporate matching: Encourage your employer to match donations.
   • Fundraise: Organise fundraising events or online campaigns.
   • Grants and sponsorships: If you own a business, consider sponsoring a nonprofit or helping them apply for grants.
2. Volunteer Your Time & Skills
   • Volunteering: Offer hands-on help, such as working in a charity shop, mentoring or coaching young people, or working behind the scenes in administrative work.
   • Professional skills: Provide expertise in marketing, finance, legal support, IT, or social media management.
   • Board membership: Join a non-profit’s board as a trustee to offer leadership and strategic advice.
3. Spread Awareness
   • Social media: Share their work and fundraising campaigns online.
   • Word of Mouth: Tell friends, family, and colleagues about the charity’s mission.
   • Host or participate in community discussions to highlight their challenges.
4. Offer In-Kind Support
   • Donate goods
   • Pro bono services: If you’re a professional (lawyer, accountant, designer, etc.), offer your services for free.
   • Office space and equipment: Donate or lend office space, computers, or software.

Go on, get involved, you know you want to.