Fundraising

Many parents have successfully raised the funds for helmet treatment, with all manner of sponsored events and fundraisers. Her are some ideas you may like to try.


Local companies
Write to local companies of all sizes and tell them your baby’s story.  Include a photo of the baby and explain that treatment is rarely available on the NHS and how much you need for a private helmet.  Request a donation and tell them they can make a cheque payable straight to the helmet company you have chosen.

Flyers
Print off some flyers from the site and include them with any letters you write.  And/or ask your helmet provider to give you some of their leaflets.  This shows it is a genuine problem, backed by a support group, and with a recognised treatment.

Local media
Write to or email your local paper and tell them your story.  Some members of Plagio UK have had the full amount they were seeking donated by a local company or organisation shortly after their story has appeared. Speak to your local radio station and TV channel too. STARband parents can ask Technology in Motion's PR agency to arrange this for them - just speak with your orthotist.

Sponsored events
Do sponsored events and get friends and family involved:

• a walk, toddle or buggy push
• marathon, half marathon, Great North Run, Nike 5k, etc.
• swim
• cycle
• haircut, head shave, leg/chest wax (for men!)
• sky dive, parachute jump, abseiling

Collections
Collections can be very successful, particularly at large sporting events (football, cricket, rugby, etc) and concerts.  Check with the organisers of the event first though, as you may need permission to collect within their grounds. Or you can always collect nearby.  You do not need to be a registered charity or anything similar to collect money, but it helps if you have decorated collection buckets, leaflets, stickers, etc.

Local pub
Get your local pub involved. See if they will let you put up posters, do a charity karaoke, or just a collection - people can be very generous after a few pints!

Raffles
Arrange a raffle. Again, write to local shops, companies, football clubs, etc. and ask them if they can donate any prizes.  You could hold the raffle in a local pub.  Perhaps the pub itself will be interested in helping you by putting up posters or you could make a collection tin in which their customers could donate.

Posters
Advertise your event or raffle by creating posters with a picture of your baby on; put these up in local shops.

Sponsorship
Create a sponsorship form for people to complete and which your friends and family can pass around their workplaces and friends, etc.

Plagio UK donations page
Go to the donations page on this site and follow the instructions for having your details listed on the page.