By supporting HUGG you can be the hope that people need – at a time when all hope feels lost
In memory of Ross and to promote awareness for HUGG, we set a target to complete the Dublin Marathon. We wanted to raise €10,000 for HUGG to assist with training and upskilling volunteers for their Suicide Bereavement Support Groups in addition to supporting funding for general day-to-day operations.
Conor,
whose son Ross died by suicide
A proud moment for the @hills4hugg lads as we handed over €11,130 to HUGG. We are so grateful to everyone who donated and supported us throughout our epic challenge, and we hope we did you all proud in helping to raise awareness of Men’s Mental Health and Suicide Bereavement.
Lorcan,
Hills4HUGG
It was an emotional day as I took part in the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon in memory of my beloved partner, Leroy. It was a challenge and it was also rewarding to raise funds for HUGG as they have given me great support.
Niamh,Fundraiser
Last year I lost my best friend to suicide. In such a hard and confusing time I felt lost, but I was able to find the support I needed through a HUGG Support Group. Now I want to raise funds for HUGG to support their amazing work
Craig,
who lost his best friend Aaron to suicide
Fundraise for HUGG
Whether it’s a once off event or a full calendar of staff engagement activities we can support your team to get involved, have fun and make a real difference to people devastated by suicide.
We are happy to work with you on bespoke activities to suit your team or why not join one of our many campaigns throughout the year, like the Women’s Mini Marathon, Dublin Marathon or Hell and Back.
If you are a business, you can facilitate and encourage your staff to raise funds for HUGG in a wide range of ways and perhaps match the funds raised with a corporate donation. All funds raised are put towards the operational cost of running our national charity and providing this service free of charge.
We have partnered with companies, clubs and groups across Ireland who have come up with creative and exciting ways of raising funds,as well as adopting HUGG as their charity partner of the year. We would be delighted to hear from you, just email fundraise@HUGG.ie and we can talk about how we can work together.
How to organise a fundraising event for HUGG
HOW TO GET STARTED
Choose an idea
Whether it’s online or in person, a community event, a corporate team building activity like Hell and Back or your own challenge like a marathon, walk or swim, choose a fun activity that will motivate you and your donors to get involved.
Set a target
All funds raised are appreciated and put to good use. As little as €20 hosts the HUGG website for one month and €10,500 runs a HUGG Support Group for one year. By having a target to reach it will encourage others to help you reach your goal.
Spread the word!
Use every channel available to tell people about your event; by phone, by email, or across your social media profiles. Advertise your event with a poster in your workplace or at your local club, shop, pub, gym, college, and local newspaper.
Remember to tell everyone about the valuable services that HUGG provides. This will create a deeper emotional connection and give people a reason to donate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up a fundraiser?
1. Decide on an idea for a fundraiser and set a date
2. Choose a location for your fundraiser
3. Set a fundraising target
4. Create a fundraising page on iDonate.ie so people can donate safely online
5. Contact HUGG
6. Spread the word!
If you need any advice on how to run a fundraiser or need any help with your fundraiser, please email fundraise@hugg.ie and we will be happy to assist you.
Things to consider
Date – What date are you planning on holding this fundraiser on? Determine your date and venue as early as possible in advance of your event.
Weekends are generally best because more people can attend, just be sure that your event doesn’t overlap with any major holidays or competing events.
If the event is in person, you will need to think about the following things before choosing a venue:
· Size
· Layout
· Cost – do they charge a fee?
· Parking
· Sound and lighting
· Permits and licensing
· Wi-Fi
Lead in time
· How long will it take to organise your event and get everything you need?
· How far in advance does everything need to be planned out?
· When does the venue need to be booked?
· How long will it take you to obtain all of the materials that you need for the fundraiser?
· How long will it take you to get everything set up before the event?
· Do people need to RSVP for the event? If so, how far in advance?
Accessibility
· Do people know where to go for the event?
· Is the event accessible for everyone attending?
Raising awareness
How are you planning on spreading the word about your event?
· Social media & websites (e.g. posting on your company website or social media pages) using #Hashtags, tagging HUGG in the post and any other relevant organisations or businesses.
· Community Groups (i.e. sports teams, clubs, church groups, schools etc)
· Newsletters (community, church, sports clubs etc)
· Radio (local, community, college etc)
What should I consider if my fundraising event is in person
Venue
· How far in advance does the venue need to be booked?
· Will the venue have enough space to accommodate everyone?
· Does the venue have any specific requirements?
· Do guest know where the venue is located?
Public Transportation
· Will guests need to take public transportation to reach the venue?
· Will public transportation be available on the day of the event?
Parking
· Will there be enough parking space for everyone?
· Is there a charge for parking?
What should I consider if my fundraising event is online?
· Will the platform allow you to host an event on it?
· Will the platform be able to support everyone attending the event?
· Will the platform be accessible to everyone who plans on attending the event?
· Does the platform have a strict time limit or not?
How do I create an iDonate page?
1. Go to www.idonate.ie
2. Click on Start A Fundraiser
3. Type in HUGG. When HUGG shows up, click on it
4. Select your fundraising target
5. Choose the type of event you want to organise
6. Add any other information asked
What Do I Do With The Money raised?
Sending the money in by Post
If you receive any cheques made out to HUGG you can post them to us at:
HUGG, 13 Adelaide Road, Dubin, D02 P950
Along with the cheque, please send a note contains the following information:
Your name, your Email or postal address, Name of your event, any Donors you would like acknowledged.
To deposit a cheque or make bank transfer please contact us on fundraise@HUGG.ie or 01 513 4048
Where do my funds go?
HUGG provides all of its information and services free of charge. We receive some state funding but 65% is raised through fundraising.
– €20 – Hosts our website for one month
– €125 – Prints leaflets to advertise a new HUGG support group or event
– €250 – Buys a library of grief books and resources for a HUGG support group
– €1,500 – Trains a new volunteer to become a HUGG support group facilitator
– €10,500 – Runs a HUGG support for an entire year
Do you have some fundraising Ideas?
Whether you’re a student or retired, a CEO or a shopkeeper, artistic or athletic, there are a wide variety of events that you can organise to raise money for HUGG.
For Outdoor Enthusiasts:
Fitness challenge – encourage participants to ask friends, family or colleagues, to sponsor them as they partake in the challenge (e.g. for every 5 kilometres the participants funds, each sponsor donates €10. If someone has 3 sponsors and runs 10K then they are responsible for €60 worth of donations going towards HUGG)
Local walk or hike:
Organize a group of people to go on a walk or a hike and ask participants to donate a small fee (€5-€10)
Outdoor workout
Organise a workout or other type of movement practice (e.g. yoga, tai chi etc) to be held in an outdoor space (park or garden) and ask people for a fee to participate (€10).
For Creative types:
· Virtual craft-along – share your skills and make something simple. Prior to the craft-along, ask participants to gather the materials they need to make the craft (choose something relatively simple and made with materials that can be found in most locations e.g. Christmas decoration, decorated jar lantern, paper flowers)
· Art auction or painting competition – Ask people to create drawings, paintings, sculpture etc to be auctioned off. Then ask people to donate a small fee to participate in the competition with cash prizes available for the winners (e.g. first place gets €500, second place gets €250, third place gets €100)
NOTE- the cash prizes will not be coming from the donations, but will have been organised beforehand.
· Photoshoot – humans or animals. Use your photography skills and bring some props (e.g. hats, masks, boas, etc) for participants to use in photos and ask people to donate (e.g. €10) to have their photo taken.
· Cake sale – ask friends, family, or colleagues, to donate baked goods and host a cake sale or have a tea/coffee morning and people can donate as they wish.
