When the sun comes out and temperatures soar, why not get outdoors and do something rewarding like fundraising for a charity? There’s nothing more gratifying than bringing your local community together and putting on fundraising events to raise money for those in need.
Here at Seashell, we recently held a community summer fair which is just one of our great summer fundraising ideas you can do too! Read on to discover some ways you can raise funds and truly make a difference.
Seashell shine community summer fair
When it comes to the best summer fundraising ideas, what better way to raise money than by throwing your own summer fair? Think homemade cakes and pastries, games for the little ones and stalls for food and activities – all with the heartwarming underlying cause of charity.
In June, we held the Seashell Shine Community Summer Fair where we celebrated our Bicentenary.
Our event was an afternoon full of summer fun, celebration, and special guests like Evie from CBeebies and Alex James from XC Manchester!
To kick off our fundraiser our amazing CEO gave a wonderful speech, joined by one of our students, Mollie, who certainly got the festivities started the right way!
We kept our guests entertained with a massive variety of performances and speeches, offering the stage up to some of our brilliant students who performed their very own renditions of ABBA and a very, very rock and roll cover of Bob Marley’s ‘Don’t Worry About a Thing.’ We also had an equally electrifying choir performance from the Rock Choir and had the pleasure of watching an acoustic country, pop and blues set with the Tritonals!
With a carousel of activities also on offer, manned by none other than a bunch of Stormtroopers, our guests were certainly kept busy! We made sure that the fun didn’t stop with our selection of whirling fun fair rides and cycling activities. The kids also had the best time visiting the Worker Bee Market and Bicentenary Exhibition, before settling down for a quiet and well-needed bedtime story by Evie from CBeebies.
Whatever weather you get on the day, we’re sure the community will come out in full force to support your event, while raising lots of money for a good cause.
Hosting an event
Throughout our years, we’ve hosted many fundraising events, including our most recent summer fair. Now, we want to give you some inspiration on how you can host your own fundraising event!
Some of our most popular summer fundraising ideas
Summer auction
Why not add a dash of excitement and a sprinkle of competition to your summer fundraising? Hosting a summer auction can do just that! Begin by collecting items for auction, such as donated goods, services, or even experiences, like a day at a nearby spa or dinner at a swanky restaurant. Then, create buzz around your event to draw potential bidders in.
You can use social media, flyers, and word-of-mouth to get the crowds in. On the day, allow the tension to build, the paddles to rise, and watch as friendly competition fuels your fundraising efforts!
Sponsored walk, run or cycle
If you’re not the biggest fan of exercise, getting your heart pumping while supporting a charity is a surefire way to spur you on. Get your community engaged with a sponsored walk, run, or cycle. This isn’t just about fundraising; it’s about promoting health and unity.
Pick a scenic route, perhaps one that guides you through a local park or along a river, then invite participants to secure sponsorships for every kilometre covered.
During our Seashell Shine Community Summer Fair, a pupil completed their fundraising Shellebration Walk around the Cheshire countryside, and crossed the finish line at our fair! This amazing student raised a whopping £335 and inspired a crowd full of people at our Bicentrary fair.
If you’re putting on a sponsored cycle, why not take a look at our charity events page where we have cycling sessions all the family can get involved in?
Why not add some humour to the event with a fun dress code? And once it’s all over, you can celebrate the end of your journey with a community picnic.
Summer BBQ party
Nothing screams summer more than the smoky aroma of a BBQ party. You can transform this classic summer gathering into a fundraising event by selling tickets for an afternoon of yummy food, lively entertainment, and enjoyable company.
There are plenty of fundraising elements you can bring into the mix, such as a dessert auction or a small games corner – with all proceeds going to your cause. With the BBQ sizzling and the sun beating down, your summer BBQ party won’t only raise funds, but build stronger relationships amongst your community members – perfect!
Boat race
Imagine the gentle lapping of water against the hull, the excitement of the crowd, and the thrill of competition – all while raising money for a noble cause. A charity boat race can be a truly standout event of the summer.
We held our Charity Dragon Boat challenge earlier in the year which raised a whopping £52,915 (and counting!). Maybe it’s time for you to step into a boat, grab your paddle and traverse along the water while raising lots of money for your cause.
Check out our community fundraising page to see how you can get involved!
Car wash fundraiser
Are you looking to provide a much-needed service while raising funds? Then, a car wash fundraiser could be the answer. With the sun shining, cars will inevitably need a good scrub. Simply gather a team of willing volunteers, set up a station in a convenient location like a school car park and you’re good to go.
Promote your car wash widely through social media posts and local adverts. Just make sure you communicate the charitable nature of the event. After all, customers are far more likely to dig deep to get their cars washed if they know it’s for a good cause!
Summer is the perfect season to get some fresh air while raising vital funds for charity. Whether it’s putting on your own summer fair, hosting an auction, or throwing a BBQ party, any fundraising event you hold is sure to raise money for important charities.
You can make a donation to Seashell too where you’ll be helping to change the lives of the children and young people we care for.
Contact Us
If you’re looking to hold a fundraising event, why not think of donating to our charity? We rely strongly on donations and fundraising events to make things happen here at Seashell, even the smallest amount can make a big difference.
For more information about fundraising and donations, please contact us today.