I began working for RSPB Cymru three years ago, and I’ve since lost count of how many times my job in Community Fundraising has taken me on visits to supermarket foyers, or given my alter ego Harry the Giant Heron the opportunity for guest appearances in city centers! (Don’t worry, Harry is actually a fifteen-foot tall heron puppet! see the pic below) There have been good collections, very good collections, and sometimes not-so-good collections, but there is one thing that is true of all of them, and that is that they are always genuinely rewarding.
A collection we held recently at a supermarket in Cwmbran was a great example of how getting out and about in the community with a bucket is both an easy way to raise vital funding to help Give Nature a Home, and also a fantastic way of spreading our conservation messages.
I collected for five and a half hours in the store foyer alongside my colleague James, a membership recruiter in the Community Events Team. An enjoyable day’s work resulted in a total of £120.00 in bucket collection donations and £25.00 in pins badge donations, on top of four brand new memberships.
We spoke to the public about the fantastic nearby National Nature Reserve that is Newport Wetlands, answered many questions about wildlife, and also promoted the Giving Nature A Home campaign to encourage people to do their bit for wildlife at home in their gardens.
Actually, I would say there is also another thing about bucket collecting that is always true and that is that they are all different. My efforts at Cwmbran were actually dramatically trumped a couple of months ago by two of our Community Fundraising volunteers, Peter and Nancy from Milford Haven , who raised over £200 in just four hours at their local supermarket! An amazing effort I think you’ll agree. Bucket collecting is one of those activities that I think that everyone should try at least once, and RSPB Cymru are always looking for volunteers to spend a few hours fundraising in their local communities to help Give Nature a Home, and all you need is a smile and some free time. Please contact myself anytime on 02920 353 016 to find out more information about collections in your area or to find out how you can get involved.