Fundraising - One World Relief

Fundraising Guide and Volunteer Opportunities with One World Relief

Whether you’re new to fundraising or a long-time volunteer, you can make a difference at the local level:

Hold a charity event in your community: a bake sale, coffee morning, quiz night or sports‐day. Draw on ideas other charities use: for example cake sales, dress-down days, walks, raffles.
Collect donations from friends, family and colleagues – set up a sponsored challenge (walk/cycle/run) and ask people to pledge support.
Make use of your workplace, club, school or local business: ask for matching donations, hold an office dress-down day or a fun challenge.
Use local networks and social media to share your campaign: post photos, update regularly, engage supporters. Genuine stories always resonate.

Set up an online campaign page (via crowdfunding platforms, your own fundraising microsite) and share the link widely: via email, social media, WhatsApp, community groups.
Invite your network (friends & family) to donate directly, or to share the campaign with their contacts.
Use social-media friendly challenges or campaigns: e.g., a “give up your coffee for a week” style challenge, or “walk X miles” challenge, then ask for pledges.
Make sure you tell the story: what is the fundraiser for, how will their donation make a difference, how it relates to our “one life at a time” ethos.

For volunteers who are able and ready, there is a powerful opportunity:

Raise funds locally (or online) for a specific project (for example clean-water, winter support, medical kit) and then join a deployment abroad to help deliver the aid you helped raise.
Working with our team on the ground, you will help ensure the funds reach where they’re intended, help engage with the community, witness the impact, and bring back stories to share.
This “raise-and-deliver” model builds transparency, trust and deep connection – you are not just raising funds, you are part of delivering the solution.

Volunteering and fundraising go further when done together.
Form or join a team of fundraisers – friends, colleagues, local community group – who commit to a shared goal (e.g., raising £X by a certain date, or supporting a deployment).
Regular check-ins, shared updates, communal motivation – make the journey fun and meaningful.
Collectively you can achieve much more than solo efforts, and you will strengthen your connection to One World Relief’s mission and values.

Here are some creative ideas to get started:

Sponsored Walk/Run – Participants ask for sponsorship per mile or for completing the challenge.
Bake Sale / Craft Fair – Sell goods made by volunteers or supporters; proceeds go to the cause.
Virtual Challenge – A fitness challenge, a “give up something” challenge, or a “walk X steps per day” challenge that can be done remotely.
Online Auction or Raffle – Get local businesses to donate items or services; auction or raffle them off to raise funds.
Community Event or Party – Host a themed event (quiz night, film night, cultural event) and ask for entry donations, refreshments, auction items.
“Donate Instead of Gifts” – Ask supporters to give donations instead of birthday/anniversary gifts, or challenge them to give their “gift budget” to your campaign.
Corporate Partnerships – Work with a local business: for example, a day where they donate a portion of their sales, provide sponsorship, or match funds raised.

Be clear about the purpose and impact of your fundraising: what project/region will the funds support, how they will be used, how it fits our ethos.
Share regular updates with your supporters: photos, stories, progress toward target, thank-you messages.
Leverage social media and ask supporters to share with their own networks.
Keep costs low – part of our promise is that YOU raise funds for good; we minimise overhead and make sure your effort counts.
Ensure transparent handling of funds and deliver the aid as promised — this builds long-term trust.
Encourage volunteer involvement, especially from those with experience living abroad, multilingual ability, or strong local knowledge — their insight brings authenticity and reliability.
Celebrate the incremental wins: remind everyone that small acts add up over time. The core message: “bit by bit, one life at a time.”

Whether you’re an experienced fundraiser or just starting, there’s a place for you here at One World Relief.

Start your fundraiser today: set your target, choose your method, share your campaign.
Join a deployment team and help deliver the change you raise.
Invite others to fundraise with you – because together, we achieve so much more.
Donate directly, share our campaigns, or reach out to volunteers who want to support our mission.

Let’s work together to rebuild lives, one life at a time.
Get in touch with us for fundraising materials, support, and guidance.