Fundraising at work can be one of the best ways to spread the word about how Candlelighters helps children with cancer in Yorkshire and their families. 

You can reach a lot of people, all at once. Plus, fundraising for such a good cause can really promote enthusiasm and creativity at team-building activities and staff social events. 

You’d be surprised at how you can raise money. Fundraising can transform everyday activities, such as making a cup of tea or photocopying, into a charitable activity! Let’s put it this way: if you have an idea, chances are, you can fundraise from it.

Here are Candlelighters’ top 10 fundraising ideas for employees:

	Satisfy that mid-morning hunger pang with a cake sale!
	Sweepstake (the subject can range from your colleague’s due date to the winner of your favourite reality TV show)
	Have a dress-down day
	Organise a work sponsored run (See our Events Calendar for major races scheduled this year.)
	Donate a day’s wages
	Wear the Candlelighters’ green and pink for a day
	Turn your old books/DVDs into donations from your colleagues!
	Organise an office lottery (Visit Lotteries and raffles for more information.)
	Install an office swear box
	Use your lunch hour for a car wash, shoe polish or shoulder massage for your colleagues.

Equally, your workplace can be a great source of sponsors and supporters for events you hold outside of work, so ask your boss if you can spread the word via email or staff intranet.

Shout about it! Don’t forget, if you’re holding a big event or are planning to raise a large amount of money, let everybody know! We have a downloadable Candlelighters Press Form which you can fill in and send to your local newspaper. You can also download publicity materials and our logo from the Media centre, as well as ordering Candlelighters t-shirts, pens, stickers, etc – essential for any event!

Say it with pictures A picture says a thousand words, so make sure you have someone lined up to take photographs on the day. Photos are invaluable for gaining press coverage – and donations – after the event. You can also share them with your friends, family and local community by posting them on your fundraising Just Giving site and on our website's Gallery. To upload your pictures, simply email them, along with information about your event, to info@candlelighters.org.uk

Make the most of the internet Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace are excellent ways to spread the word about an event. Why not set up an events page, or a fan group? That way you can update all your supporters in one easy message and encourage them to donate, donate, donate! And don’t forget to set up your own Just Giving page on Sponsorship and fundraising - how to get started.