fundraising brochure - Canal & River Trust

Let’s work togetherContents1 Let’s work together2-3 Together we can raise vital funds4-5 Find a project close to homeor close to your heart6-9 Let’s get fundraising10-11 Let’s get collecting12 Thank you from John CravenAt the Canal & River Trust, we careabout your local waterways as muchas you do. By working together, wecan help make them even morespecial for everyone to enjoy.We know that people like you have done a wonderful job ofcaring for our canals and rivers in the past – and we believeyou’re crucial to their future too.That’s why, as the new charity entrusted with the care of yourlocal waterways, we’re glad we can count on your support.Together, we can pool our resources, share our knowledge andwork more effectively than ever. And that’s the best wayof caring for the canals and rivers we all love.How to get in touch with us:By phone: 0303 040 4040 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)By email: supportercare@canalrivertrust.org.ukBy post: Canal & River Trust, First Floor North,Station House, 500 Elder Gate,MILTON KEYNES MK9 1BB© Canal & River Trust 2013.Canal & River Trust is a company limited by guarantee registered in England& Wales under number 7807276; and a charity registered with the CharityCommission under number 11467921

Together we can makecanals and rivers…greener£500£500 could plant an orchardof apple and pear trees besidethe canal – providing fruit andwelcome shade for years to come.Together, we canraise vital fundsWhen it comes to fundraising, we’ve got plenty ofideas and advice to share – and we’re keen to helpyou in any way that we can.These volunteers raised over £35,000by cycling from London to Brussels.So in this booklet, you’ll find some great fundraising ideas to inspireyou – as well as tips to make sure your events are a roaring success.But the first thing to do is decide where you want your money to bespent. You can choose either to support our vital work across thecountry, or focus on a specific project – whether that’s planting fruittrees in your local community or saving water voles on the other sideof the country!Will you have fun and raise money too?£200£100...wilder£200 could lay hedgerow andbuild dormouse boxes – creatinga safe habitat where these timidendangered creatures can thrive....and livelierthan ever£100 could help put on a canalsidefestival and encourage thecommunity to care about theirlocal waterways.Turn the page to see some of our exciting projects – orvisit canalrivertrust.org.uk/appeals for a full list…2 3

Find a project closeto home – or closeto your heartWe run a host of projects across England and Wales, so there’ssomething to inspire everyone. Here’s just some of the great workthat supporters like you have made possible in recent months…It just goes to show what a wonderfultransformation you can help bring about.To support one of our current projects, visitcanalrivertrust.org.uk/appealsIn the North…In Wales…1 Creating a nature trail alongthe Ribble Link in LancashireWe’ll be planting poplar trees andwildflowers, building a bird hide andinstalling bat boxes to boost numbersof these shy nocturnal mammals.2 Protecting barn owls along theAire & Calder Canal in YorkshireWe’ll be maintaining precious grasslandhabitat and installing nesting boxes,where barn owls can raise their young.In the Midlands…3 Restoring the famed King’sNorton guillotine lock nearBirminghamWe’ll be repairing the lock’s walls andremoving silt from its chamber to preservethis amazing piece of 19th centuryengineering for many years to come.5 Protecting water voles andother wildlife along theLlangollen CanalWe’ll be helping to maintain a vital stretchof canal bank – home to many rareaquatic plants and invertebrate species,as well as endangered water voles.6 Opening up the views along theMonmouthshire & Brecon CanalWe’ll be helping visitors enjoy viewsacross the Brecon Beacons NationalPark by trimming back the tree canopyand encouraging wildflowers to thrive.In the South…7 Planting an ‘edible wall’ alongthe Hertford Union CanalWe’ll be transforming a bare section ofbrickwork into a flourishing vegetablepatch for all the community to enjoy.568143274 Repairing a damaging breachto the Trent & Mersey CanalWe’ll be mending the 230-year-old walls ofthe canal after a huge section was sweptaway by floodwaters in autumn 2012.8 Transforming the towpathsaround BathWe’ll be removing litter, painting locksand planting wildflowers to make thisbeautiful area even more special.4 5

Let’s get fundraisingTogether in the great outdoorsTogether with families1. X marksthe spotTake the hardwork out oftreasure-huntingby using the very special map you’ll findat the back of this booklet. All you needto do is mark where the ‘treasure’ lieson the reverse of your map – then, turnover, charge people £1 to guess thehiding place and award a small prizeto the winner.2. Throw a pirate partyChildren love dressing up – and apirate party gives them the perfectexcuse to borrow headscarves andhooped earrings, brandish plasticcutlasses and practise their best‘Yo ho ho’. Every young pirate mustpay a small fee to attend – or elsewalk the plank!3. Host a quiz nightEveryone loves a quiz – even theyoungest members of the family.And if you visit our website, you’llfind plenty of canal-related facts andfigures to use for your questions.4. Hold a lock ransomStand guard over a local lock andlend a hand to boaters passing through– for a small fee, of course. They’llprobably be glad to let you takethe strain – and you’ll work up agood sweat in the process too!1. On your bikeA sponsored cycle along your favouritecanal is a great way to have fun, keepfit and raise money. So dust off yourbike and get back in the saddle! Youcan search for a suitable route – andfind plenty of cycling hints and tips –at canalrivertrust.org.uk/cycling2. Stroll, ramble or walkIf walking is more your thing, gatheryour friends for a sponsored hikeinstead. Towpaths make wonderfulwalking trails – flat, safe and trafficfree.And whether you choose a gentleramble or a vigorous all-day trek, you’llenjoy fresh air, great views and somegorgeous canal-side scenery.3. Lay a treasure trailPlant clues along your canal or riverbank, or lay a trail using sticks, stonesand other natural materials. Hide your‘treasure’ of sweets and treats – then, tellyour teams to pay up and get hunting!4. Hold an open house (boat)For one day only, throw openthe doors of your houseboat tothe general public. You can chargea small admittance fee and serverefreshments (homemade lemonadealways goes downa treat!). You couldeven take visitorsfor a ride!6 7

Let’s get creative1. Organise a mobile phonephoto challengeCelebrate the beauty of your localcanal or river by organising aphotography competition. No fancyequipment allowed – all entries mustbe taken using the camera on yourmobile phone. And you can displaythe best submissions in your localcommunity, in an online Flickr galleryor by sharing on Facebook andTwitter. Alternatively, send them in tous and we might well publish them inour Waterfront magazine!2. Write an ode to your canalA poetry competition is a great wayto get people to unleash their innerShakespeare (or Spike Milligan).Charge a small fee for entries andpublish the best online or in your localnewspaper. Don’t forget to sharethem with us too – it would be lovelyto see some of your poems in print inWaterfront.3. Ready, steady, bakeHolding a cake sale is a tried-andtestedfundraiser and always provesimmensely popular. Amass youringredients, mix well, add a dash ofdecorative flair – and watch yourdelicious cakes sell out!4. Get creative with cast-offsRe-style second-hand clothes bystitching on beads and buttons, orslashing them into a whole newshape. Turn old nick-nacks andornaments into high art – then sellyour creations to the highest bidder.One man’s trash is another man’streasure, as they say…And don’t forget…Get permissionAll events that take place on canals andrivers, or along their banks, require ourpermission – and ideally three months’notice, so we can avoid clashes with otherevents and maintenance work. But it’s nothard to get the go-ahead – just follow thestep-by-step guide at canalrivertrust.org.uk/planning-an-eventStay safeDo make health and safety a prioritywhen planning your event – and neverlet children play unsupervised besidethe canal. Keep a well-stocked first aidkit and always prepare food and drinkin a hygienic environment.Be realistic… about our great British climate!If you’re planning an outdoor event,make sure you’ve got a plan B incase the heavens open – you’llneed somewhere close to shelterand plenty of umbrellas on hand.Spread the wordThe more people you tell about yourfundraising events, the more peoplewho’ll be inspired to support them.So use Twitter, Facebook and emailto tell the world about forthcomingplans – and get your friends andfamily to bring along a crowd.8 9

Thank you fromJohn Craven!I’ve always been a big fan of canals, ever since I visited the Five Riseflight of locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal as a boy. So it’swonderful to know you’re a kindred spirit. And I can’t thank youenough for helping to keep our beautiful and historic waterways safefor the future.By fundraising for the Canal & River Trust, you’ll be playing your partin a wonderful transformation that will see our canals and riversbecome even more special – and protect this vital part of our heritagefor generations to come.So I hope this booklet has given you all the ideas and inspiration youneed to get started. Good luck – and thanks again for doing your bit!John CravenJournalist & TV Presenter12

Workingtogetherin thefutureIf you need any more advice or supportwith your fundraising, we’re here tohelp. We can:Promote your eventsWe’re not short of Facebook friends andTwitter followers. So if you tell us about yourevents and activities, we can spread the wordfar and wide – in seconds.Brighten up your dayWe have plenty of free fundraising materialsto help decorate your events – includingcolourful bunting and balloons.You’ll find our contact details on the insidecover of this booklet, so please feel free toget in touch at any time.Good luck!