Fundraise for wildlife – how you can help!

Every year, the fantastic energy and enthusiasm of supporters like you help us raise over £1.5m of donations to help nature and wildlife.

Whether you'd like to fundraise alone, with friends or with colleagues, or whether you're a teacher or business owner, we can offer a host of fundraising ideas and activities.

Some fundraisers have done physical activities like running a marathon or swimming the channel. If you want to follow in their footsteps and you have your own place then we can support you with fundraising materials.

If you want something less demanding, you could be a volunteer collector, or open up your garden and charge an entry fee.

Click here to find out more about In Aid Of fundraising. You will find all you need to know from ideas, to guidelines, and sponsorship forms. Remember every little bit helps J

Here are some examples of how other people have been getting involved, please feel free to share in the comments below any ideas you have or how you have or are going to fundraise for wildlife.

Birthday Star

Dr Stuart Blackmore (a very valued member) from Llanelli, Wales has very generously donated us his birthday money!

Stuart celebrated his 60th birthday last year by hosting a bird-themed party, and instead of asking for the usual gifts, he asked his friends and family to give him money that he could later donate to local wildlife charities.

Stuart donated £250.00 to RSPB Cymru and to thank him we presented him with a Limited Edition Golden Curlew pin badge.

Running rings around competition to raise money for local nature reserve

Mark Mitchell ran rings around the opposition as he took part in one of the toughest ultra running challenges in the country and raised over £600 for the RSPB Lochwinnoch nature reserve where he works as an Information Officer.

Mark completed the 50 mile fell run at the Montane Lakeland 50 Ultra Lake District Challenge as part of a team of four including other RSPB staff members from across the UK. Considered one of the toughest ultra running challenges in the UK, the difficulty of the course means that over half of the competitors fail to complete the full run.

Mark completed the run in 17 hours, 4 minutes and 11 seconds, even managing to spot some raven and pied flycatcher on his way. He said: “The work the RSPB does can be seen by all of us, no matter where you are in the UK. Whether it's chaffinches and bumblebees in your back garden, or otters and kingfisher down on your local river, the wildlife around us enriches our lives and it is something we should be working incredibly hard to conserve for future generations”

“My body is broken but more importantly we beat our fundraising target! The stunning views were truly inspiring and made it more bearable. The thought of all the people who supported me was the real thing that kept us going though. Thanks so much for all the support everyone. "

Paula Baker, Assistant Site Manager at RSPB Lochwinnoch, said: “The team here are delighted that Mark chose to fundraise for the RSPB during his run, and even more delighted with the fantastic sum of money he has managed to raise. He quite often cycled to the reserve from Glasgow during his training, which is no easy task.”

Mark has so far raised a massive £625.93 which will be going towards conservation at the RSPB Lochwinnoch Reserve.

To find out more about challenge events in Scotland click here

Jack's Marathon des Sables - 6 days in the Saharan heat - his own mini-migration, to raise money for the RSPB

Jack Roper, from South Devon, is running the Marathon des Sables, a 6 day ultra-marathon across the Sahara desert covering 150+miles in early April. It is ranked by the Discovery Channel as "the toughest footrace on earth".

These events are great opportunities to raise money for charity and this year he is fundraising for the RSPB.

As the RSPB speaks up for nature in the UK and further afield, conserving wild places through science, campaigning and public engagement. Jack believes we all have a responsibility to protect our green spaces, particularly with issues such as climate change, urbanisation and agricultural intensification becoming ever more significant.

If you can sponsor Jack on his relatively mini trans-saharan migration you will be 'Stepping up for Nature' and making him very happy! The smallest contribution makes a difference and will be greatly appreciated. http://www.justgiving.com/JackRuns2013

When asked about the his adventure, this is what Jack has to say:

Why?

Well the answer to this is simple but comprehensive and my blog explains all (http://jackrunsmds.blogspot.com). In a nutshell I'm doing this for the experience and because I have craved the achievement ever since seeing the event years ago on Trans World Sports!

What you're really looking forwards to about it?

It will be great getting to know the other runners, my tent mates and enjoying some good camaraderie. I think these aspects of the event will be a major player in getting me through the rough times out there on the sand. It's been three years in the making getting to this point and there have been plenty of highs and lows. I have ran across some stunning landscapes and had to combat several injuries but now, I’m just looking forward to getting out there.

What you're not looking forward to?

The midday heat I guess and it's ability to sap the energy out of you. I have no problem roughing it in the desert, sleeping in the sand and eating freeze dried food but those moments you get as a runner when you’re seeking inspiration to pull you through a lethargic slump can be really tough and I expect to experience the worst of them out in the Sahara. I have a short-term memory when it comes to running though and I'm hoping I’ll have forgotten how those pains feel by each new morning where I’ll be raring to go.

Why did you choose the RSPB to fundraise for rather than any other charity?

I began volunteering with the RSPB in 2011 not knowing a great deal about the organisation. I immediately became inspired by the RSPB's work, people and ambitions where I was offered opportunity after opportunity to expand my experience and knowledge within the conservation and public engagement sector. I'm a massive believer in bringing people and nature closer together and for me the RSPB does this better than anyone so when it came to choosing a charity to run the Marathon des Sables for, it was an easy decision.

Cake and Charity

A group of Queen’s University, Belfast, postgraduates recently married two of their great loves – cake and charity – to host a fantastic bake sale in aid of the RSPB. 

Working through the night cake clubbers let their creativity lead the way to produce some incredible works of art from raspberry jam toadstools to birds’ nest buns to a really wild mud cake topped with a pair of mischievous hippos! 

Simply asking their fellow students to fill their plates in exchange for whatever they could afford the group raised a magnificent £192 which will go toward supporting our local conservation work.